As Trump’s tariffs ignite a trade war, Canadian farmers and seafood producers urge Ottawa to reverse damaging domestic policies and take decisive action to protect the nation’s agri-food sector.
By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews
Canada’s farmers—both on land and at sea—say Ottawa needs to act swiftly and decisively to safeguard the nation’s agri-food sector as North America braces for the fallout of a Trump-fueled tariff war.
The first step towards enhancing Canada’s food security amidst the tit-for-tat tariff war is for the Trudeau Liberals to pause and reverse self-inflicted, damaging policies that have adversely impacted the nation’s farming sector.
Food prices will be among the first to rise as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and Canada’s retaliatory measures, which went into effect today.
Currently, over 60% of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports are destined for the U.S., which, in return, supplies 20% of Canada’s agricultural and agri-food imports. This equates to about $100 billion worth of agriculture and agri-food products crossing the border every year.
When it comes to seafood trade, Canada imported over $1 billion worth of seafood from the United States in 2023 alone. Conversely, the U.S. imported over $3.6 billion in seafood products from Canada, solidifying Canada as its top supplier.
The new tariffs will impose yet another substantial burden on Canada’s salmon farming sector, which is already facing unprecedented business uncertainty due to activist-driven, science-deficit federal policies, said the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA).
With approximately 70% of B.C.’s farm-raised salmon production destined for American customers; the introduction of a 25% tariff would have severe economic repercussions.
Industry analysis indicates that U.S. demand could drop by 32% to 40%, driving revenues for B.C. salmon farmers down by an estimated $131.5 to $142.4 million annually. This downturn would inevitably lead to job losses, with projections estimating between 1,100 and 1,195 positions eliminated.
“At a time when food security and economic stability are top priorities, Canada has an opportunity to strengthen its commitment to sustainable, healthy, and locally produced food,” said the BCSFA.
“We need a rational, evidence-based policy approach and a clear government signal that salmon farming is a key component of Canada’s agri-food sector. With that, the sector could generate $2.5 billion in economic output, $930 million in GDP, and 9,000 jobs, paying $560 million in wages annually by 2030.”
Currently, B.C.’s salmon farmers, together with their First Nations partners, generate over $1.17 billion for the provincial economy, supporting 4,560 full-time jobs.
“In the face of these tariffs, our opportunity in Canada is to first strengthen our production at home. We need the economy firing on all cylinders,” said the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA).
“We must first immediately address negative policy actions by federal and provincial governments that are unnecessarily suppressing Canadian seafood farming production,” said CAIA, whose members employ over 16,800 people across the country.
The Alliance is urging Ottawa to abandon its activist-driven plan to ban ocean salmon farming in B.C., which would devastate the province’s economy and leave taxpayers liable for an estimated $9 billion in compensation to salmon farmers, suppliers, and First Nations.
It is also calling for an end to proposed license changes that would unjustifiably ban B.C. shellfish farmers from operating in certain areas without scientific backing.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), which also opposes Ottawa’s plan to ban ocean salmon farming in B.C. post-2029, said it is extremely disappointed to see the widespread 25% tariffs implemented by the U.S. today.
“These tariffs are going to have negative consequences for farmers and consumers on both sides of the border. There’s no question,” said Keith Currie, CFA President.
“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 tariff dispute between Canada and the U.S., except for our competitors around the world. Tariffs are, quite simply, bad business.”
The CFA said it is deeply concerned about the potential impacts of these tariffs on Canada’s agri-food sector, particularly when combined with damaging domestic policies that further strain farmers and farm businesses.
The Federation, which represents 190,000 farm families across Canada, said it is actively working with the government to ensure those affected—especially by the compounding effects of Canadian countervailing measures—receive the necessary support to weather the Trump tariff storm.
“If Prime Minister Trudeau wants to fight Trump’s trade war against Canada, he needs to start by looking in the mirror. His government’s own policies have been crippling our seafood farming sector long before these tariffs landed,” said an aquaculture industry veteran.
“We need leadership that stands up for Canadian jobs and food security, not policies that make us weaker in the face of economic threats,” he said.
(Main file image shows Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau)