The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council praised the launch of the U.S.-China Board of Trade on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. The new board, announced by U.S. and Chinese officials, will consider tariff relief for American dairy exports. Dairy industry leaders say retaliatory tariffs have hurt U.S. farmers while competitors gained ground in China. NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud and USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden both welcomed the announcement, though they urged officials to move quickly toward full tariff elimination.
What the U.S.-China Board of Trade Means for Dairy Farmers
Doud called the launch a positive step for U.S. agriculture. He commended the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for prioritizing agricultural exports within the new trade framework. However, he noted that retaliatory tariffs still put U.S. dairy at a disadvantage in the Chinese market. As a result, American dairy farmers continue losing ground to competitors overseas.
The Board of Trade will review a list of products for possible tariff reductions, and dairy made the initial cut. Consequently, NMPF and USDEC see the announcement as encouraging news for an industry that relies heavily on export markets. The tariff relief won’t take effect immediately, though. Instead, officials said any changes will follow “their respective domestic laws and processes,” according to the announcement.
Doud said U.S. dairy farmers want China to fully lift its retaliatory tariffs on dairy products. Additionally, he urged negotiators to make dairy a key part of China’s agricultural purchase commitments. “The positive momentum today is good for farmers, good for trade and good for both countries,” Doud said.
Industry Leaders React to the Announcement
Harden echoed Doud’s optimism while stressing the importance of predictability for exporters. “The U.S. dairy industry strongly supports the launch of the U.S.-China Board of Trade and the prospect it offers for giving U.S. dairy exporters and their customers the predictability they need,” she said. She added that USDEC welcomes dairy’s inclusion on the list of products under consideration for tariff cuts.
Harden also praised a two-month extension of the tariff truce between the two countries. Furthermore, she called on the board to act quickly and eliminate the retaliatory tariffs still weighing on U.S. dairy exporters. “So our suppliers can compete on a more level playing field,” she said, urging swift action.
Remaining Concerns Over Tariffs and Port Fees
Despite the optimism, dairy leaders flagged one lingering worry: proposed port fees on Chinese ships. Harden warned that shippers must not pass those fees along to U.S. agricultural exporters. Otherwise, added freight costs could cancel out the benefits the Board of Trade aims to deliver.
This isn’t the industry’s first attempt to shape the deal, either. Back in July, NMPF and USDEC submitted input on the board’s design and which products it should cover. Both groups stressed the need for relief from retaliatory tariffs, and they plan to keep pushing U.S. trade policy toward removing remaining barriers.
What’s Next for U.S. Dairy Trade with China
The U.S.-China Board of Trade marks an early step toward resolving a trade dispute that has cost American dairy farmers market share in China. For farmers and ranchers, the announcement offers a glimmer of hope. However, the real test will come once tariff relief actually takes effect. Because implementation depends on each country’s own legal processes, the timeline remains uncertain.
Farmers and industry watchers should keep an eye on how quickly the board moves and whether port fee proposals threaten the gains dairy exporters hope to see. Readers can find more details on the announcement through the National Milk Producers Federation. This story is based on a press release from the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.