The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council welcomed an announcement today of the operationalization of a U.S.-China Board of Trade and its initial product scope:
Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation
Krysta Harden, President and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council
“The U.S. dairy industry strongly supports the launch of the U.S.-China Board of Trade and the prospect it offers for giving U.S. dairy exporters and their customers the predictability they need. We are encouraged by the inclusion of U.S. dairy exports on the list of products to be considered for tariff reduction. USDEC urges the Board to swiftly deliver the full elimination of the retaliatory tariffs that still weigh on
U.S. dairy so our suppliers can compete on a more level playing field. The two-month extension of the tariff truce is also a welcome step forward. As wider talks continue, it is essential that proposed port fees on Chinese ships are not passed along to U.S. agricultural exporters. Added freight costs would undercut the very gains the Board of Trade is meant to achieve.”
Announcements by the U.S. and China governments indicated that the Board of Trade’s tariff relief will be implemented “consistent with their respective domestic laws and processes” rather than taking effect immediately. In July, NMPF and USDEC provided input on the Board of Trade’s design and product coverage, stressing the need for relief from retaliatory tariffs on U.S. dairy exports. Both organizations will continue working with the U.S. government to remove remaining barriers to trade and prevent new ones.
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