IDFA Commends Bipartisan House Effort Urging USTR to Address USMCA Dairy Violations During 2026 Joint Review

IDFA Commends Bipartisan House Effort Urging USTR to Address USMCA Dairy Violations During 2026 Joint Review

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2025-The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today applauded a bipartisan group of 74 U.S. Representatives for sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging the Administration to use the upcoming United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) 2026 Joint Review to address Canada's longstanding noncompliance with the agreement's dairy commitments. In particular, the lawmakers encouraged USTR to resolve Canada's restrictive administration of dairy tariff-rate quotas, close loopholes related to nonfat milk solids exports, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure U.S. dairy producers receive the full market access envisioned under USMCA.

Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO IDFA, released the following statement:

"USMCA is the most important free trade agreement for the U.S. dairy industry, and it must be renewed. But ongoing trade concerns with Canada and Mexico must also be resolved as the renewal is being considered. Collaboration between Congress and the Administration is critical to maintain the agreement's meaningful progress and finally deliver the market access promised to U.S. dairy exporters. IDFA applauds this proactive approach by Members of Congress to help ensure that the review process results in a stronger USMCA that delivers the outcomes negotiated." On Wednesday, IDFA testified before USTR during its public hearing on the operation of USMCA, urging negotiators to preserve the benefits of USMCA while rectifying the violations and operational challenges. Find IDFA's oral remarks as prepared here, and IDFA's detailed written comments to USTR on USMCA here.

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in direct wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA's diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.