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Collins backs level playing field for U.S. dairy products

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Representative Chris Collins (NY-27) today led a bipartisan letter sent to President Trump applauding the president’s acknowledgements of Canada’s protectionist trade policies related to dairy products and advocating for swift action to ensure Canada upholds its trade agreements.

“President Trump campaigned on putting America first, and protecting American jobs,” Collins said. “Today’s letter highlights how vital the U.S. dairy industry is to Western New York and dairy producing regions across the country. The U.S. dairy industry supports billions of dollars in exports and hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs.

"Unfortunately, due to unfair competitive practices by Canada, we must take action to ensure our dairy products will be able to compete on a level playing field. I am glad President Trump has recognized how important this issue is to hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans, and I will continue working with my colleagues to protect the U.S. dairy industry.”

The letter which 68 lawmakers signed on to was also co-led by Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Ron Kind (WI-03), Sean Duffy (WI-07), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Peter Welch (VT-AL).

The letter details Canadian trade practices that “may violate Canada’s existing trade commitments to the United States by effectively discouraging U.S. dairy exports to Canada.” It also reinforces that “our districts and states rely on the jobs the dairy industry provides and cannot afford further protectionist policies from our northern neighbor.”

Full text of the letter along with signatories can be seen here and full text can be read below.

david spaulding

hi chris, can you tell us if the united states is violating existing trade commitments when it enacts a 20 % tax on Canadian lumber imports ? just wondering for if it's true that would not make for an level playing field would it chris ?

Apr 26, 2017, 7:39pm Permalink
david spaulding

"I will continue working with my colleagues to protect the U.S. dairy industry.” ok chris can you offer any details of what you are doing besides signing a letter that someone else drafted? not looking for political round and round meaningless garble. please give me a few details of the hard work you are doing..... .

Apr 26, 2017, 7:57pm Permalink

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