California dairy farmers are bracing for another economic hit as the escalating U.S.-Canada trade war brings new tariffs on American dairy products.<\/p>\n
Canada imposed 50% retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. dairy products, including milk and cream, and 25% tariffs on cheese.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It’s adding to already tough times for Hank Van Exel, a second-generation Lodi dairyman, who operates a dairy with about 2,000 head of cattle.<\/p>\n
“It is high, and it’s gonna hurt,” Van Exel said. “It’s gonna hurt for a while.”<\/p>\n
Van Exel said dairy farmers are already dealing with higher feed costs and an oversupply that has put pressure on prices.<\/p>\n
“Right now it is a tough time to be a dairyman,” he said.<\/p>\n
The stakes are significant for California’s dairy industry, which generates roughly $8 billion a year. About 15% of the state’s dairy exports go to Canada, according to industry figures.<\/p>\n
Ina Simonovska, a UC Davis professor who specializes in international trade, is watching the U-S Canada trade war add more uncertainty to an already shaky economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The tariffs from Canada, if they’re going to affect anyone, they’re going to affect California exporters,” Simonovska said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0Asked whether he feels the dairy industry is sometimes used as a political pawn, Van Exel didn’t hesitate.<\/p>\n
“Yes,” he said.<\/p>\n
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