U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) expressed disappointment in a recent USMCA trade dispute panel ruling that favored Canada over the United States. The ruling, which was issued late last week, rejected a complaint that Canada has overly restricted U.S. dairy imports and violated USMCA obligations.
"This decision is a setback for Wisconsin dairy farmers and producers," said Senator Baldwin. "Our dairy industry is a major economic driver in our state, and we need to ensure that our farmers have a level playing field with their Canadian counterparts."
The dispute settlement mechanism included in USMCA is intended to bring resolutions to trade disputes quickly and fairly. Last year, a dispute settlement panel brought under USMCA found that Canada was reserving its dairy tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for the exclusive use of Canadian processors, in violation of commitments to dairy market access under USMCA. Despite the ruling, Canada did not make the necessary reforms to its TRQ procedures.
In January, Senator Baldwin called for a second dispute settlement panel on the subject of Canada's failed implementation of the changes required by the first ruling. A second panel was launched and found late last week that Canada's measures do not breach the USMCA commitments.
Senator Baldwin has been a vocal advocate for Wisconsin dairy farmers and has pushed both former President Trump and President Biden to enforce USMCA dairy provisions.
An online version of this release is available here.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-evgeny-gromov
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle