WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow of Michigan welcomed news Tuesday that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has established a dispute settlement panel under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to review Canada’s administration of tariff rate quotas for dairy products imported from the United States. During USMCA negotiations, Chairwoman Stabenow led efforts to secure strong enforcement tools that allowed this panel to be established.
“This is another step toward ensuring Canada upholds their commitment to provide fair market access for our dairy farmers,” said Chairwoman Stabenow. “More access to markets means more opportunity for dairy farmers in Michigan and nationwide who were already struggling even before the pandemic. I appreciate Ambassador Tai’s work in continuing to move us forward.”
Chairwoman Stabenow and a group of Senators pressed USTR in August to use the enforcement mechanisms she secured through USMCA to hold Canada and Mexico accountable for the commitments they made on dairy issues as a part of the trade pact.
For more on USTR’s announcement, click here.
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