Tag: dairy trade

NMPF’s Bjerga on Why Congress Must Pass Whole Milk Law

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga discusses the importance of Congress passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and NMPF’s grassroots advocacy on the issue in an interview with WEKZ radio in Janesville, WI. Bjerga also explains the advantages of getting whole milk back in schools via Congress rather than through updated dietary guidelines expected next year in which fuller-fat dairy is also expected to fare well, in a conversation that touches on the importance of congressional action on other issues important to dairy, including farm labor and trade.

NMPF, USDEC Testify on USMCA Dairy Priorities at USTR Hearing

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF and USDEC Executive Vice President for Trade Policy and Global Affairs Shawna Morris testified today before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), urging the administration to leverage the 2026 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Review to ensure that the agreement’s anticipated benefits for U.S. dairy producers and exporters are fully achieved.

“USMCA is a critical agreement for the U.S. dairy community,” said Morris at the hearing. “It’s crucial that the Review address targeted implementation problems with Mexico and Canada to create an even stronger agreement that will be up to the task of facilitating U.S.-Mexico-Canadian trade for years to come.”

Throughout her testimony, Morris highlighted a few key priorities, including combatting Canada’s continued manipulation of its administration of dairy tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) that denies U.S. exporters the meaningful market access guaranteed under USMCA. She also focused on Canada’s circumvention of USMCA dairy protein export disciplines has resulted in continued offloading of low-priced dairy proteins, undercutting U.S. products in both domestic and global markets.

Morris urged the administration to ensure Mexico upholds its USMCA commitments to protect common cheese names such as “parmesan” and “provolone.” The issue is increasingly pressing as ongoing European Union trade negotiations with Mexico seek to restrict the use of generic terms in the United States’ largest dairy market.

The testimony builds on joint comments submitted by USDEC and NMPF on Oct. 31, as well as an Aug. 5 testimony and two filings provided to the U.S. International Trade Commission on July 15 and Nov. 17 as part of its Section 332 investigation into U.S. global competitiveness on nonfat milk solids. An investigation report due in spring 2026 will be an important resource for USTR to address Canadian attempts to evade its dairy protein export disciplines.

NMPF Calls Out Foreign Suppliers’ Anticompetitive Trade Practices

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF submitted final joint written comments with the U.S. Dairy Export Council on Nov. 17 to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) as part of the agency’s Section 332 investigation into the United States’ global nonfat milk solids competitiveness.

The organizations in their comments highlight how Canada continues to distort global nonfat milk solids markets through its new Class 4a pricing system that enables the production of low-priced dairy proteins destined for export. Clear production shifts following USMCA’s implementation indicate a deliberate attempt by Canada to circumvent the trade deal’s export disciplines established for dairy proteins, consequently undercutting U.S. producers at home and abroad. As the United States begins the mandated USMCA 2026 Joint Review, the USITC report will be a significant resource in ensuring that the agreement works as U.S. negotiators intended.

The submission also underscores the long-term competitive imbalance created by the European Union’s historic subsidies for casein and caseinate production, noting that more than four decades of financial support allowed European processors to build a dominant global position that persists today. Although the subsidy scheme ended in 2013, its legacy remains evident in the scale, infrastructure, and export strength of EU manufacturers, particularly in Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. NMPF’s filing urges the USITC to recognize the cumulative effect of these foreign policies on U.S. dairy competitiveness and to reflect these realities in its final report.

The filing complemented an earlier submission on July 16 and joint NMPF and U.S. Dairy Export Council testimony by Jaime Castaneda and William Loux at a July 28 hearing. The investigation follows persistent NMPF advocacy for the U.S. government to address Canadian attempts to evade their USMCA dairy commitments in a manner that disadvantages U.S. producers.

Rollins Touts Milk Action Plan at Annual Meeting

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

ARLINGTON, TX – Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins touted the Trump administration’s milk action plan to support American dairy farmers today at NMPF’s annual meeting.   

“I want to be very clear. We will never stop fighting for those of you in the dairy industry and across rural America we have reached that golden age for our producers,” said Rollins, a Texas native who keynoted the Joint Annual Meeting hosted by NMPF, the United Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. “Dairy farmers have delivered for America for 250 years, and now it’s time for us to deliver for you.” 

Rollins spoke to roughly 750 farmers, cooperative leaders and industry professionals gathered to discuss industry topics ranging from an economic outlook to dairy labor challenges. NMPF, the largest U.S. dairy farmer group, is holding a series of discussions on policy issues throughout the meeting, ranging from the need to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to creating lasting labor solutions for U.S. dairy farmers.  

In her remarks, Rollins outlined USDA’s dairy priorities, outlining the administration’s four-point approach to support the industry, including:  

  • Incentivizing dairy consumption through changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected in December or early January;  
  • Working to drive down input costs;
  • Facilitating investments in American milk processing; and
  • Expanding markets to help milk producers prosper.     

Rollins also noted the importance of farm-labor issues, pledging to seek federal changes to rules and regulations in coordination with the departments of Labor and Homeland Security while noting that broader changes will require congressional action. “We are acutely aware of the unique labor needs of the dairy industry,” she said.  

Rollins became the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture earlier this year after serving as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the America First Policy Institute. During President Trump’s first administration, she was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the domestic policy agenda of the Trump administration.   

Rollins’s remarks kicked off a busy day at the conference, with remarks from immediate past NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney, newly elected NMPF Chairman Brian Rexing, and NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud as well as a luncheon featuring awards from the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program and NMPF communications.  

A reception sampling top-performing cheeses from NMPF’s annual cheese contest is this evening.  

Morris on U.S. Dairy Trade Wins

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

NMPF’s Executive Vice President of Trade Policy and Global Affairs Shawna Morris said the federation is thrilled with the announcement from the Trump administration of new trade agreements in Southeast Asia. The agreements were with Malaysia and Cambodia, and new trade agreement frameworks are in place with Thailand and Vietnam.

NMPF Leads Charge in Dynamic Trade Environment

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft
  • Advocated for dairy priorities in administration’s Reciprocal Trade Deals
  • Secured the reintroduction and advancement of key common names bill
  • Spurred federal investigation into global nonfat milk solids marketplace
  • Expanded network of allied organizations
  • Advanced key supply chain initiatives

NMPF has actively navigated the new administration’s proactive and unconventional trade approach to forge better global prospects for U.S. dairy exporters.

As the Trump administration’s trade negotiations unfold, NMPF Executive Vice Presidents Jaime Castaneda and Shawna Morris are serving as confidential private sector advisers to the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Agriculture, offering guidance to ensure that U.S. dairy interests are represented and pursued across the globe.

To date, the United States announced trade frameworks with key dairy trading partners including South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. These frameworks vary in scope and detail and are designed to set the stage for more detailed negotiations to follow soon.

The frameworks with Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are particularly promising for dairy exporters. It appears likely that all three countries will zero out tariffs on U.S. dairy exports, leveling the playing field with New Zealand and Australia, and in some cases the European Union too. Indonesia’s framework also addresses longstanding barriers that have made it difficult for American companies to compete in the market. This includes dairy facility registration approval improvements and steps that would help protect common name rights in Indonesia for products like “parmesan” and “feta.” Details on all announced trade details are forthcoming.

In addition to providing guidance as cleared advisors, NMPF worked hard in the months leading up to the negotiations to lay the groundwork for success. As the administration began to fill out its cabinet and agency positions, NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) shared trade priorities  with incoming USTR and USDA officials to improve the global competitive landscape for U.S. dairy exporters. NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud testified before the House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee, where he called for the U.S. government to pursue greater market access for U.S. products and enforce existing trade agreements.

Throughout its meetings and engagements with the Trump Administration, NMPF has stressed the need to preserve trade flows, while encouraging a tailored approach to tariffs that ensure fairness for U.S. farmers and workers.

NMPF remained active in multiple trade-related areas that went beyond negotiations, for example supporting the Apr. 1 reintroduction of the Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields (SAFETY) Act and continuing additional efforts to proactively protect common food names for American cheesemakers. Originally introduced as the Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act in 2023, the SAFETY Act would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize the protection of common names like “parmesan” in international trade negotiations.

As Congress and the administration prepare for next year’s critical U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review process, NMPF is engaging with and supporting the U.S. Trade Representative’s office and other key stakeholders to ensure that they have the information needed to strengthen the agreement for U.S. dairy producers and exporters.

A particular issue that needs addressing is Canada’s dairy policies that incentivize dairy protein to be produced, then offloaded globally at artificially low prices — including by shifting tariff codes to evade USMCA export surcharges.

NMPF responded to this issue by pressuring the administration to address Canada’s persistent flouting of USMCA commitments, which led to a U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) investigation launched May 20 into the export competitiveness of nonfat milk solids industries in the United States and other major suppliers. NMPF submitted written comments as part of that investigation outlining underhanded practices by Canada and other global suppliers that harm U.S. producers. NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda and Will Loux further elaborated on those points at a July 28 USITC hearing in the case.

NMPF has expanded its network of international allies, strengthening its ability to advocate for U.S. dairy worldwide. During a March 17-20 trip to Central America, Castaneda closed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NMPF, USDEC, and the Guatemalan Dairy Development Association (ASODEL). The agreement strengthens ties between the U.S. and Guatemalan dairy industries as they advocate for free and fair-trade policies and promote greater dairy consumption.

NMPF and USDEC signed an MOU May 1 with KADIN, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, strengthening ties between the U.S. and Indonesian dairy industries. This agreement builds on a flourishing partnership between the two countries, launched by the establishment of the U.S.-Indonesia Dairy Partnership Program. This collaboration is focused on creating and distributing technical educational materials designed to empower small-scale dairy producers in Indonesia to improve the quality and quantity of their milk production while touting the value of complementary U.S. dairy imports to meet the full needs of Indonesia’s expanding school milk program.

To ensure that U.S. dairy exporters can depend on timely and reliable shipping and rail transportation, NMPF is prioritizing supply chain improvements.

USTR on Feb. 21 proposed to impose fees on Chinese-built and -operated cargo ships as part of a larger investigation into Chinese maritime dominance. While this action was well-intentioned, NMPF and USDEC filed comments on March 24 to warn the agency that additional service fees would significantly increase costs for American exporters and diminish shipping options for U.S. products — both of which could lead to loss of global market access. USTR heard the industry pushback and modified the rule on June 12 rolled back the severity of the proposed fees. NMPF continues to urge the agency to re-evaluate the remaining fees to ensure U.S. dairy exporters do not face additional costs to export.

U.S. Dairy: Trade Deal With Europe Must Deliver Real Change

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) welcomed today’s release of the Joint Statement on United States – European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. U.S. dairy leaders stressed that America can no longer afford to tolerate Europe’s entrenched protectionism, which has cost U.S. dairy farmers billions and stifled real market access. The Framework provides an essential opportunity to address those harms to benefit American dairy farmers and manufacturers.

According to the White House, the new agreement would provide preferential market access for U.S. dairy products and commit to resolving certain non-tariff barriers including streamlining requirements for dairy export certificates. Both elements are vital to improving Transatlantic trade relations.

“U.S. farmers win when competition is fair, but there’s nothing fair about Europe’s system,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “An agreement with the EU has the potential to unlock billions in new opportunities for American dairy. To get there, dairy exporters need to see market access opportunities into the EU mirror those the EU already enjoys when it ships butter, cheese and other dairy products into the U.S. market. We look forward to working with the Administration to ensure the EU follows through on delivering results that farmers can see in their milk checks.”

Exports are a lifeline for American dairy farmers, processors, and the rural communities they support. But Europe has turned trade into a one-way street. Trade that is reciprocal, fair and balanced requires leveling the playing field for U.S. exporters including ending the abuse of GIs as disguised protectionism and ensuring that EU tariffs and nontariff barriers do not shut out U.S. producers from selling products that are globally recognized and respected.

“This announcement is an important step in the right direction. America’s dairy farmers are done playing second fiddle in Europe’s rigged system,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “For too long, the EU has wielded tariffs and red tape, and misused geographical indications, as weapons to shut U.S. products out while European exporters enjoyed extensive access to our shelves. That imbalance has saddled us with a staggering $3 billion dairy trade deficit in 2024 alone. We’re pleased that the Administration is working to finally address this imbalance of opportunity.”

NMPF Dairy Experts Testify on Milk Solids Before ITC; Staff Present on Economy, AI

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda and Will Loux testified on July 28 before the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) as part of the agency’s ongoing Section 332 investigation into the United States’ nonfat milk solids competitiveness relative to other global suppliers, highlighting another busy month for NMPF staff in outreach and policy influence.

Testimony by Castaneda, NMPF’s executive vice president for Policy Development and Strategy, and Loux, who heads NMPF’s Joint Economics Team with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, complemented nearly 60 pages of comments filed July 16 that focused on Canada and other global suppliers’ persistent efforts to offload structural surpluses of nonfat milk solids onto the global market at artificially low prices.

NMPF and USDEC requested that the U.S. government address Canada’s attempts to circumvent its dairy obligations in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Despite Canada’s USMCA commitment to reform distortionary pricing schemes, limit the offloading of low-priced dairy proteins and expand its market access for U.S. dairy exporters, it has failed to follow through in meaningful ways on all three fronts undercutting U.S. dairy producers both at home and abroad — a point drawn out in the two testimonies. In response, USTR requested that the USITC conduct this investigation.

The USITC’s findings, due next March, will inform the U.S. government’s strategy heading into the upcoming USMCA review between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

NMPF and USDEC also highlighted other global suppliers that benefit from a combination of direct subsidies and state trading enterprises that distort global trade, including product originating from India, Turkey and the European Union.

The Loux and Castaneda presentations were among several spotlighting dairy’s leadership in July. NMPF Senior Director for Economic Research & Analysis Stephen Cain gave a tariff and trade outlook to industry professional on June 26 at the HighGround Global Dairy Outlook Conference in Chicago. Cain also presented a global dairy outlook to the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association Dairy Symposium in Lake Geneva on July 15 and gave a market outlook to WI Farm Bureau and the Dairy Farmers of WI in Madison later in the month.

Meanwhile, NMPF Executive Vice President for Communications & Industry Relations Alan Bjerga presented on Artificial Intelligence and the challenges of communicating dairy’s messages in an evolving information environment at the Agricultural Media Summit in Rogers, AR, on July 29.

NMPF Advocates for Industry Needs in Worldwide Trade Talks

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF’s active engagement with key administration officials in the lead-up to President Trump’s July 31 executive order establishing a new tariff system has helped create opportunities for dairy as deals across the globe take shape.

The order places reciprocal import tariffs on dozens of countries while maintaining the reciprocal tariff rate at 10% on all others. Several trade framework agreements were also announced prior to the order that may improve market access for U.S. dairy exporters.

The executive order sets country-specific tariff rates ranging from 10% to 41% on a broad set of imports. Several key U.S. trading partners negotiated terms to secure 15%-20% tariff rates under bilateral arrangements, including the EU, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, the UK and Vietnam. Details on each are slim – with some having been announced solely via social media – yet most reference tariff reductions that would benefit U.S. agricultural exports.

Throughout these discussions, NMPF staff Jaime Castaneda and Shawna Morris, who served as Confidential Agricultural Trade Advisors to USTR and USDA, have provided extensive details and recommendations to U.S. trade negotiators on the importance of maintaining stable access to key export markets, avoiding retaliatory disruptions, reducing tariffs, and resolving nontariff trade barriers in specific markets.

NMPF joined USDEC in praising the framework agreement announced with Indonesia, which notably would eliminate Indonesia’s 5% dairy tariffs in a promising and growing market for U.S. dairy products and seeks to address nontariff barrier concerns with Indonesia’s lengthy facility registration process and threats to the use of common cheese names.

“We are pleased to hear this framework removes roadblocks to trade and will help grow dairy sales in one of the world’s most populous markets,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF, in the statement. “NMPF looks forward to reviewing the details of the agreement and working with the administration to ensure Indonesia upholds its end of the bargain.”

Separate negotiations are underway with countries on which the U.S. first began raising tariff rates: Mexico, Canada and China. Mexico, the largest market for U.S. dairy, received a 90-day reprieve, allowing continued negotiations and uninterrupted trade for the time being. Meanwhile, Canadian exports that are not USMCA-compliant will face a 35% tariff beginning Aug. 2. Negotiations with China to avert a further hike in bilateral tariffs with that country are ongoing, with a looming deadline of Aug. 12.

Joint Statement from NMPF and USDEC on Senate Confirmation of Luke Lindberg as USDA Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) today applauded the Senate’s confirmation of Luke Lindberg to the position USDA Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

Statement from Gregg Doud, President and CEO of NMPF:

“We are excited to get to work with Under Secretary Lindberg, who has a proven track record of advancing American agricultural interests and will help USDA deliver results for American dairy producers and cooperatives. Mr. Lindberg’s leadership and understanding of trade policy strengthen the future of U.S. dairy. We look forward to working with Under Secretary Lindberg and the entire Trump administration to champion American dairy farmer interests, fight back on unjustified and unscientific barriers to American exports and open markets across the globe.”

Statement from Krysta Harden, President and CEO of USDEC:

“The confirmation of Luke Lindberg represents a significant win for U.S. dairy exporters and our industry’s global competitiveness. Mr. Lindberg’s experience leading trade missions and managing export initiatives position him perfectly to break down trade barriers and create pathways for American dairy to reach global consumers. Last year, U.S. dairy exports reached a historic $8.2 billion, demonstrating the tremendous global demand for American dairy products. This position is critical to advancing America’s leadership in international dairy markets. Together we can put more Made in America dairy on more overseas shelves. We are delighted to have a strong advocate for policies that enhance competitive dairy access into international markets.”

NMPF’s Castaneda Explains for Dairy Radio Now the Importance of Investigation of Milk Powder Trade

Posted on by Chris Galen

NMPF’s executive vice president Jaime Castaneda explains for listeners of Dairy Radio Now why NMPF asked the Trump Administration to investigate the world trade in milk powders, and, in particular, the impact of Canada’s protectionist practices on U.S. producers. Castaneda and NMPF colleague Will Loux testified this week on the issue.