Long-term recovery depends on sound trade policy

Trade policy expert Shawna Morris says long-range goals of expanded exports will be essential to securing prosperity for the U.S. dairy industry.

Even as U.S. Dairy struggles to meet the immediate challenges of coronavirus, its efforts on expanding overseas markets must encompass not only near-term measures, but also work that continues “not with an eye on what’s going to happen necessarily in the next week, but what needs to happen over the next year or two” to help the industry recover, said Shawna Morris, vice president for trade policy at USDEC and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).

Recovery will not happen overnight -- it's going to take time, says Shawna Morris, vice president for trade policy at USDEC and NMPF. 

The outbreak of COVID-19 in China was an international trade concern before it became a major domestic issue in the U.S.

"The global response to coronavirus has had some hopeful aspects—the importance of agriculture to the world’s economy is in the spotlight, and governments have responded to pressing needs by prioritizing preservation of trade flows and in some cases taking a bit more practical approach to some bureaucratic regulations," Morris said in a NMPF podcast.

Listen to the full podcast here

Despite the disruptions, trade officials need to keep long-range goals of expanded exports in mind that will be essential to returning dairy to prosperity, she said.

“We’re working with our government and others to outline the dairy industry’s priorities for upcoming trade agreements, notably with the UK and Kenya for instance, as well as ongoing work—issues and policy barriers that had existed prior to COVID-19 and are still in place that we’re working with our government allies and with other counterparts in other countries to try to help address,” she said. 

A possible bright spot is that much of what the United States ships to China is whey and lactose, and China will need whey for animal feed as it continues to rebuild its swine herd following last year's outbreak of African Swine Fever.

"Frankly, we hope that the U.S.-China phase one agreement helps to spur further (purchases from the U.S.) this year in line with the commitments China has made in that agreement as the recovery proceeds.

"But looking elsewhere, I think the real lesson to be learned here is that recovery will not happen overnight," Morris said. "It's going to take time."

You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and Google Play. Broadcast outlets may use the MP3 file. Please attribute information to the National Milk Producers Federation.

Learn more:

• How USDEC cuts red tape to keep U.S. dairy exports moving during COVID-19 pandemic
• Vilsack says U.S. Dairy has taken 'a gut punch' but will bounce back
• U.S. dairy industry reassures global customers about commitment to exports
• Work for U.S. dairy exports continues during coronavirus crisis (audio clips)

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The U.S. Dairy Export Council fosters collaborative industry partnerships with processors, trading companies and others to enhance global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients. USDEC is primarily supported by Dairy Management Inc. through the dairy farmer checkoff. How to republish this post.