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Dairy leaders say new NAFTA sets the course

A dairy cooperative leader expects the new United States Mexico Canada Agreement will set a bar for future trade deals including with China.

“We’ve had Chinese delegations through our offices over the last 90 days really trying to find out whether farmers really support the administration.  I think they’re trying to do their ‘test’ of how hard they push.”

Dairy Cooperative executive director Tim Trotter tells Brownfield Chinese tariffs on U.S. dairy products are stressing processor and farmer prices.  “Now you have a 25 percent disadvantage, it’s really eating away at some of the work that’s been done.”  He says he’s cautiously optimistic favorable actions on trade will be completed before the end of the year.

Wisconsin dairy farmer Pete Kappelman of Two Rivers tells Brownfield the new NAFTA is a great first step, but more needs to be done for the U.S. dairy industry to remain competitive globally.  “Let’s keep it in perspective, Canada’s population is about three percent the size of China’s population.  We’ve got to get to work with these other countries.

Trotter and Kappelman spoke with Brownfield during the recent World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.

AUDIO: Interview with Tim Trotter

AUDIO: Interview with Pete Kappelman