Madison Reporter

Brandon Maly, chairman of the Dane County Republicans, said he is grateful for President Trump's tariffs, stating they provide essential protection to Wisconsin's dairy and manufacturing industries. Maly made these remarks to the Madison Reporter on April 18.

"Thanks to the Trump administration's tariffs, Wisconsin's dairy and manufacturing industries are finally getting the protection they've long deserved on the global stage," said Maly. "For too long, unfair foreign competition held back local producers, but now, these tariffs are leveling the playing field. After years of being overlooked, the hardworking people of Wisconsin are finally getting the respect and opportunities they've earned. Blue-collar Wisconsinites are now front and center as President Trump prioritizes American-made goods and local labor."

According to CNN, in March, President Trump announced plans to impose new tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy after delaying broad 25% tariffs on Canada. He justified this move by citing high Canadian tariffs on U.S. dairy exports—some exceeding 240% after quota limits. Trump indicated that the U.S. would respond with equivalent measures. While U.S. dairy leaders supported holding Canada accountable, they cautioned against prolonged trade disputes. Despite a 2023 trade panel ruling that Canada's tariffs were consistent with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Senator Tammy Baldwin criticized the decision as unfairly impacting U.S. dairy producers.

In a statement dated March 7, Becky Rasdall Vargas, senior vice president of trade and workforce policy at the International Dairy Foods Association, said: "...Canada imposes a tariff of approximately 250% on U.S. exports of certain dairy products into Canada, and even more with Canada’s 25% retaliatory tariffs in place…. U.S. dairy is grateful for the Trump Administration’s efforts to hold Canada accountable on these protectionist measures…. We urge Canada and the United States to negotiate a resolution to these issues – both Canada’s trade barriers to U.S. dairy exports and the tariffs – as expeditiously as possible."

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that recent tariffs have created opportunities for Wisconsin manufacturers, particularly those eager to reshore production and reduce reliance overseas. One notable beneficiary is Stoughton Trailers, which gained a competitive edge from a 200% tariff on Chinese-made trailers in 2021, generating thousands of jobs in Wisconsin and other states. The newly increased 125% tariff on Chinese imports could similarly revitalize various sectors such as steel, heavy equipment, and component manufacturing. Locally, confidence in the policy remains strong—86% of Wisconsin business leaders surveyed by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce support the tariffs on China.

Brandon Maly was first elected as Chairman of the Dane County Republicans in 2023. According to the organization's website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Dane County voters."