Van Orden talks ag programs, tariffs in Lancaster stop

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., discussed federal agricultural policy Thursday after stopping at a southwest Wisconsin cheese plant. The visit to dairy co-op Foremost Farms’ Lancaster plant comes about a week after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” that includes several provisions related to the dairy industry or broader agricultural policy. The legislation now awaits action in the Senate. Regarding tariff policies of President Donald Trump’s administration, Van Orden said he sympathizes with the uncertainty Wisconsin farmers have felt but that tariffs will lead to more favorable trade deals pertaining to U.S. agricultural exports. Van Orden specifically called out India, which applies tariffs of 30% to 60% on imported dairy products, and Canada, which imposes tariffs on U.S. dairy imports only after hitting a quota negotiated in a 2018 deal.