Milk it for all it’s worth: Canadian dairy policies must be on table in debating trade deals

Talk among government officials of taking another look at international trade deals is music to many people’s ears.
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And with good reason. The North American Free Trade Agreement, which President Donald Trump said he wants to renegotiate, was implemented 23 years ago. There are bound to be provisions that could use some updates.
During his campaign for the presidency, Mr. Trump emphasized the need for trade deals that offered more benefits to the United States. In particular, he has criticized China, Japan and Mexico for practices that have put American workers at a great disadvantage.
If the president can potentially improve trade conditions for the United States by renegotiating these deals, we urge him to proceed. Much has changed since some of these agreements were established, and it certainly couldn’t hurt to make the effort to gain some more advantages.
One area that Mr. Trump’s trade representatives should focus on with Canada is its refusal to open its markets to U.S. dairy products. Members of the agricultural industry believe Canada is violating the terms of NAFTA with its policies.
“The U.S. dairy industry this week continued to push back against Canada’s protectionist policies that are effectively blocking American dairy imports into the country in violation of international agreements,” according to an article published Jan. 31 by Agweek. “A group of 17 dairy companies representing dairy farmers and processors from coast to coast asked governors in 25 states to urge Canadian policymakers to uphold existing trade commitments with the United States and halt the imminent implementation of a national strategy that would unfairly subsidize Canadian dairy products in its domestic and global markets.”
This issue is of great concern to dairy farmers in upstate New York. Being on the border with Canada, it would benefit dairy farmers in our communities substantially to see our neighbors to the north display more flexibility.
But as important as it is for the Trump administration to make headway on this front, community leaders in the north country have made note of the many interactions between businesses in this region and Canada that work well. They want trade representatives to be mindful of those aspects of NAFTA that have benefited Northern New York tremendously.
Garry Douglas is the executive director of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh. In a story published Jan. 30 by the Watertown Daily Times, he pointed out Canada invests heavily in companies from this region such as New York Air Brake in Watertown.
U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro, has pledged to continue working on maintaining a good relationship with the Canadians. It’s good to know that she has made this a priority, and we hope she uses her influence to steer members of the Trump administration in the right direction.
Before serving as an elected official on Capitol Hill, former U.S. Rep. William L. Owens succeeded in persuading some Canadian companies to relocate to Plattsburgh. Along with the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, he will host a workshop called “U.S./Canadian Cross-Border Trade: Where are We Headed?” from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Ramada Inn in Watertown.
Yes, there are some aspects of existing trade deals that need revisions. Others, however, have worked well for the north country. Those need to be built upon so the Trump administration shapes a mutually beneficial relationship with Canada.
 
Source: WaterTown Daily TImes
Link: http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/opinion/milk-it-for-all-its-worth-canadian-dairy-policies-must-be-on-table-in-debating-trade-deals-20170207
 

Mirá También

Así lo expresó Domingo Possetto, secretario de la seccional Rafaela, quien además, afirmó que a los productores «habitualmente los ignoran los gobiernos». Además, reconoció la labor de los empresarios de las firmas locales y aseguró que están «esperanzados» con la negociación entre SanCor y Adecoagro.

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