The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), representing more than 190,000 family farms across Canada, is deeply concerned by the breakdown in Canada-U.S. trade negotiations and the impact escalating trade measures could have on Canadian farmers and the highly integrated North American agriculture and food system.
Canada and the U.S. share one of the most important agricultural trading relationships in the world. As trade measures escalate, farmers, processors, and consumers on both sides of the border face growing uncertainty and risks to supply chains built over decades of cross-border cooperation.
“For generations, Canadian and American farmers and agri-businesses have worked as partners, supplying food, feed, fertilizer, equipment, and other essential inputs that support a strong North American food system,” said Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. “The breakdown in negotiations and escalation of new tariffs create uncertainty at a time when farmers are already facing significant challenges, including rising input costs, market volatility, and increasingly unpredictable weather.”
The CFA is concerned that escalating tariffs will disrupt established supply chains, increase costs, reduce food affordability and undermine the competitiveness of farmers and agriculture businesses on both sides of the border. Producers in both countries depend on efficient cross-border trade to compete in global markets, and any disruption to that relationship risks harming businesses, workers, and consumers throughout North America.
“The breakdown in negotiations creates uncertainty for farmers at a time when stability in our trading relationship is critically important. Farmers and consumers stand to lose when trade becomes more difficult, more expensive and more unpredictable,” added Currie. “Canadian farmers need stability so they can make the investments and business decisions necessary to remain competitive.”
CFA urges Canada and the U.S. to return to the negotiating table and work toward a swift resolution that protects the competitiveness of the highly integrated North American agricultural sector while minimizing unintended consequences for farmers, agricultural supply chains and food affordability.
CFA will continue to work closely with its members, the federal government, and industry partners to assess the implications of these measures and advocate for the interests of Canadian farmers as further details become available.
(CFA news release)
