WASHINGTON — In the wake of President Donald Trump imposing taxes on imports from the United States’ top trading partners – Canada, Mexico and China – the three countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own.

New taxes on US exports, including dairy products, prompted the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) to urge the Trump administration to “quickly resolve” the trade war.

A statement released March 4 by IDFA said: “A prolonged tariff war will deliver significant economic damage to American dairy farmers, processors and the rural communities, and therefore we urge the administration to resolve these tariffs as soon as possible.”

IDFA noted that the organization recognizes “China and Canada have yet to fulfill the promises made in the Phase One and U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreements, respectively,” but said prolonged tariffs will only further diminish market access.

“We strongly urge the administration to both resolve US dairy’s trade barriers with these markets and the newly announced tariffs,” IDFA said.

The US dairy industry exports $8 billion worth of dairy products to 145 countries, IDFA shared, adding that the US exports approximately 18% of the milk it produces, and the industry relies on increased trade access to open new markets and increase exports.

IDFA also pointed out that Mexico imported $2.47 billion in US dairy products in 2024, while Canada brought in $1.14 billion worth of US dairy products this past year. IDFA cited data from recent years regarding China, as well, noting US dairy exports ranged in value between $500 million to $800 million.