Fact check: What are the specific US dairy products affected by Canada's 400% tariffs?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Canada does impose high tariffs on US dairy products that can reach up to 400%, but the sources reveal important nuances about how this system works. The tariffs don't apply universally to all dairy imports - instead, they operate under a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system where imports within certain quota limits face lower or no tariffs, while imports exceeding these quotas face the high tariff rates ^{[1] [2]}.

Specific dairy product categories subject to these tariff structures include:

• Milk and cream
• Skim milk powder
• Butter
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Ice cream ^[3]

The actual tariff rates vary by product, with sources indicating that over-quota tariffs exceed 200% for these products, with some reaching up to 300% ^[3]. One source notes that Canada maintains tariffs on certain dairy products reaching up to 285% ^[1], while another confirms tariffs can exceed 200% for anything above quota levels ^{[2] [4]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about Canada's supply management system, which is the underlying framework that creates these high tariffs. This system is designed to protect Canadian dairy farmers by controlling production and imports ^[1].

Key missing context includes:

• The USMCA/CUSMA agreement provides limited duty-free quotas for US dairy products, meaning some US dairy imports enter Canada without facing the high tariffs ^{[2] [4] [3]}
• The US dairy industry has two main complaints beyond just tariffs: how Canada allocates existing quotas for tariff-free imports, and how Canadian milk producers allegedly dump cheap milk protein into international markets ^[2]
• This is part of broader trade tensions where the US has also imposed its own tariffs on Canadian products, with existing 25% tariffs on select Canadian products rising to 35% ^[1]

Who benefits from different narratives:

• US dairy producers and exporters benefit from emphasizing the 400% figure to pressure for expanded market access
• Canadian dairy farmers benefit from maintaining the supply management system that protects their domestic market share
• Politicians on both sides benefit from using these figures to demonstrate they're fighting for their respective agricultural constituencies

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the 400% tariff figure appears to be accurate based on Trump's statements referenced in the sources ^{[5] [1]}, the original question potentially misleads by implying these tariffs apply broadly to all US dairy imports.

The sources reveal that:

• The 400% figure represents the maximum rate, not the standard rate applied to all products
• Many US dairy imports enter Canada under quota systems with much lower or zero tariffs ^{[2] [3]}
• The tariff structure is more complex than a simple 400% rate across all dairy products

The framing could benefit those seeking to maximize the appearance of trade barriers while potentially understating the actual volume of trade that occurs under preferential quota arrangements. This selective emphasis on maximum tariff rates rather than the full tariff structure could serve political purposes in trade negotiations.