"This proves what we've known all along, that the U.S. dairy industry benefits from free trade," said Clay Hough, senior vice president and general counsel of the International Dairy Foods Association.
From January to June 2004, U.S. exporters sent Chile $1.4 million worth of American cheese, an increase of 118% from last year, as well as $115,000 worth of ice cream, an increase of 202%. U.S. imports of Chilean dairy products are also greater than last year's amounts, but to a lesser degree.