By Ted Bilyea Ongoing trade conflicts affecting Canada have prompted much reflection in recent months on how we could have prevented the situation we are currently in and what we can do now to manage risks going forward. Many have suggested we need to diversify trade partnerships, enhance domestic trade, and be more proactive with... Read More
Category: Trade
It was Canada's turn to receive the latest tariff notification letter from the White House on Thursday. In the letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. to 35 per cent on August 1. Key points and questions: A 10 per cent increase?... Read More
As of today, Canadian agriculture has generally avoided the brunt of the tariff escalation with the U.S. going back to early March, but the canola seed market is a notable exception where tariffs remain a challenge, with harvest approaching. While around 70 per cent of canola seed used in Canada is produced domestically, approximately 25... Read More
Update, as of June 29: The Canadian government rescinded the digital services tax on June 29, the day before the first payment deadline. According to Finance Canada, Prime Minister Carney and President Trump agreed to resume negotiations with a view towards agreeing on a deal by July 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump says he's... Read More
The World Trade Organization on Monday agreed to establish separate dispute settlement panels to investigate both sides of the Canada-China tariff tit-for-tat that is affecting Canadian agricultural exports. China argues Canada is not meeting its WTO obligations in regards to duties on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum that the Canadian government imposed last year... Read More
Update: Bill C-202 formally became law, receiving Royal Assent on June 26, 2025. The swift passage of Bill C-202 through Parliament has drawn a polarized reaction from Canadian farm groups. While dairy, poultry, and egg farmers are welcoming the bill, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, Grain Growers of Canada, and other national and provincial organizations... Read More
As Canadian agriculture grapples with complex challenges, John Barlow, the Conservative Party of Canada’s Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food, is calling on the Liberal government to conduct an audit of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's programs and operations to ensure taxpayers’ dollars are being spent wisely. “There’s a lack of focus within the department, and... Read More
The introduction of Bill C-202 this week in the House of Commons has reignited discussions around supply management and Canada’s national trade negotiations. The legislation, with the same wording as previous efforts under different bill numbers, would prohibit Canadian trade negotiators from discussing supply-managed sectors during trade talks—a move that critics argue ties the hands... Read More
The leader of the Bloc Quebecois has introduced another private member's bill that aims to prevent any concessions on supply management in future trade negotiations. Bill C-202 is identical to Bill C-282, which was approved by the House of Commons in 2023, but died at the report stage in the Senate when Parliament was dissolved... Read More
If you're not entirely sure what happened over the last day or two — and what happens next — with President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" and "fentanyl" tariff schemes, you're not alone. On May 28th, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed broad tariffs under the... Read More