(NAFB.com) – The U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation on Thursday welcomed new U.S. trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala, saying the agreements will help expand dairy exports across the Western Hemisphere. NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said the deals with Guatemala and El Salvador will protect U.S. exporters from nontariff barriers as the region enters its first year of duty-free dairy trade under the CAFTA-DR agreement. He said additional commitments from Argentina and Ecuador may help resolve long-standing market access issues. USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden said the frameworks strengthen opportunities in key Central American markets and could open new doors in Ecuador, where nontariff rules have limited growth. Under the agreements, partner nations committed to easing product registration, removing documentation hurdles and ensuring U.S. cheese terms are not restricted. U.S. dairy exports last year totaled $127 million to Guatemala and $50 million to El Salvador.