Canadian agriculture leaders are voicing major frustration and concern about the Trump administration’s implementation of 25 per cent tariffs on exports from Canada.
In response, the Canadian government has released a list of $30 billion worth of imports from the U.S., including many agricultural goods, that will face retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs starting on Tuesday. The government has committed to adding 25 per cent tariffs to an additional $125 billion worth of imports after a 21-day comment period.
Here are some of the early reactions from different farm and commodity group leaders on the Canadian side of the border:
“These tariffs are going to have negative consequences for farmers and consumers on both sides of the border. There’s no question. Our agriculture sectors rely on each other, not just to sell products to one another but also to provide essential inputs to grow food such as fertilizer. No one wins in a trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. except for our competitors around the world. Tariffs are quite simply, bad business.” — Keith Currie, Canadian Federation of Agriculture President
“The application of these tariffs on Canadian-grown canola and canola products will be felt across the canola value chain. Tariffs will have devastating impacts on farmers, input providers, canola crushing activities and exports of canola seed, oil and meal.” — Chris Davison, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) President & CEO
“The damaging blow of these duties will be felt by every canola farmer, starting with the price they receive at delivery and will extend to the full range of their operations, ultimately reducing farm profitability. The destructive consequences for our farms, as well as our rural and national economies, are evident. ” — Rick White, Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) President & CEO
“The integration of the North American live cattle and beef supply chain is unlike anywhere in the world, contributing to both food security and local and regional food systems. The United States and Canada have the largest two-way trade in live cattle and beef in the world. American-born cattle are fed in Canadian feedlots before returning to the United States for processing. Tariffs would greatly increase the cost of processing cattle and ultimately the cost of beef on both sides of the border.” — Nathan Phinney, Canadian Cattle Association President
“The impact of this tariff on cattle producers will be felt immediately and severely. The cattle sector is a highly integrated North American market. When dealing with live animals you are not able to pivot quickly, and this tariff could cripple the world-renowned beef industry on both side of the border.” — Will Lowe, National Cattle Feeders’ Association Chair
“Like all Canadians, our nation’s dairy farmers are deeply concerned about the far-reaching impacts that the high tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian products will have on consumers, industries, and economies on both sides of the border. We stand with our federal government and all parties, showing determination and commitment to swiftly resolving this impasse.” — David Wiens, Dairy Farmers of Canada President
“This isn’t just a tariff on Canadian farmers—it’s a tax on every American family purchasing loaf of bread, oatmeal, canola oil, and other food staples at the grocery store. A 25% tariff is, in effect, a 25% tax on American consumers.” — Kyle Larkin, Grain Growers of Canada Executive Director
“Reckless tariffs will only lead to costly consequences. This is both true for Canadian grain farmers but also American producers who rely on Canadian potash to fertilize their farms. Whether you’re growing crops or buying groceries, these tariffs will make life more expensive at a time when most are already being priced out.” — Tara Sawyer, Grain Growers of Canada Chair
