U.S. Secures Continued Tariff-Free Access To Colombian Market

The National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council welcomed the Colombian government’s decision to dismiss a Subsidies and Countervailing Measures investigation on milk powder imports from the United States due to lack of merit. The organizations expressed deep appreciation to the U.S. government for its collaboration with NMPF, USDEC and their members in successfully rebutting Colombia’s allegations.

NMPF and USDEC coordinated a multi-faceted response to the case, which was launched in 2024 and alleged, without factual basis, that U.S. milk powders were unfairly subsidized and harmed Colombian dairy producers. Working closely with U.S. government officials, member companies and cooperatives, and Colombian industry partners, NMPF and USDEC demonstrated that the Colombian government’s methodology was flawed, that assumed benefits to the U.S. dairy industry were miscalculated, and that no evidence of harm to Colombia’s domestic dairy sector could be substantiated.

“The U.S. dairy industry secured hard-won access to the Colombian market more than a decade ago, and as of this year tariffs have now fully phased out,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “Attempts to restrict U.S. access through bogus claims and misused trade tools set a dangerous precedent not only for dairy exports but for all U.S. trade. We commend the U.S. government and our members for working with us to coordinate a strong, credible defense and to send a clear message that efforts to evade trade agreement commitments will not be tolerated.”

“U.S. dairy producers and processors expect our trading partners to honor their market access commitments,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “USDEC thanks the U.S. government in Washington and Bogota, as well as our members, for their support in presenting overwhelming evidence to rebut Colombia’s politically driven investigation. We welcome Colombia’s decision to abandon the case and maintain zero-tariff access for U.S. dairy exports in this important market.”