Statement from Becky Rasdall, Vice President of Trade Policy and International Affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association, on the trip of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to La Crosse, Wisconsin

WASHINGTON – As U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai prepares to travel to La Crosse, Wisconsin to meet with the state’s dairy producers and processors, Becky Rasdall, vice president of trade policy and business International IDFA, issued this statement:

“Since her appointment, Ambassador Tai has demonstrated a commitment to American dairy producers and processors. She signaled her intention to defend the industry against unfair trade barriers and made the industry feel welcome in discussions with her team. Ambassador Tai’s trip to Wisconsin is another positive development for American dairy products. On behalf of the U.S. dairy industry, IDFA hopes Ambassador Tai will speak directly to Wisconsin dairy producers and processors about the Biden administration’s plans to put U.S. dairy products on a level playing field with global competitors. , resolve long-standing disputes, and negotiate trade deals that are preferential for US food and agricultural producers.

“The most pressing priorities for US dairy products are the resolution of disputes over Canada’s handling of dairy tariff rate quotas (TRQs) under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and an urgent matter linked to the European Commission (EC), which is in the process of implementing non-science-based certification regulations that will virtually eliminate access for US dairy products to European Union countries and threaten global supply in infant formula. Equally important is understanding how the United States plans to engage in trade negotiations in the future. Without the Trade Promotion Authority, hopes of US dairy products to expand our access to target markets such as Southeast Asia are dwindling. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Ambassador Tai on these priorities and many others on behalf of the US dairy industry.

“The IDFA is grateful to Ambassador Tai for her open commitment to fully implement US trade agreements and maintain a rules-based trading system for US dairy products.

Additional context

In May, the IDFA detailed the dairy industry business priorities for the Biden administration in this document.

Journalists wishing to speak with IDFA Vice-President Becky Rasdall about IDFA’s position on dairy trade and exports can contact [email protected].

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), in Washington, DC, represents the national dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.3 million jobs that generate $ 41.6 billion in direct wages and $ 753 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse members range from multinational organizations to one-stop shops, from dairy and cooperative companies to food retailers and suppliers, all at the forefront of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they account for 90 percent of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, as well as dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold around the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy products offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.