Trump’s tariff threat is a wake-up call for Canada’s agri-food sector

“As Canada’s most consumed seafood and B.C.’s largest export to California, farm-raised salmon plays a vital role in Canadian food security and trade,” – B.C. Salmon Farmers Association.

By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews

As trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. simmer, mounting fears over looming tariffs that will send food prices skyrocketing have sparked urgent demands for stronger government support to safeguard the nation’s farmers.

The tariff threats by the Trump administration, which for now have been put on hold for a month, are “a wake-up call for Canada’s agri-food sector,” warns Sylvain Charlebois, a professor in food distribution policy and senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.

Charlebois, also known as the ‘Food Professor,’ states that Canada is currently classified as a Tier 2 country in global agri-food competitiveness, trailing behind Tier 1 leaders like the U.S., Japan, China, and Germany.

“These nations have successfully implemented policies that encourage innovation, facilitate exports, and support domestic industries through targeted investments,” said Charlebois.

Calling on Canada to prioritize research in agri-food innovation, precision agriculture, and sustainable farming practices, Charlebois stressed that “the time to secure Canada’s agri-food future is now.”

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), which represents over 190,000 family farms across Canada, said it is extremely concerned about the potential impacts of these tariffs on the Canadian agri-food sector.

“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 trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. except for our competitors around the world. Tariffs are, quite simply, bad business,” he said.

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) said the   self-inflicted damage to Canada’s seafood farming sector must be stopped in the face of the Trump tariff threats.

Aquaculture production is fast expanding and now accounts for over 50% of global seafood production, said CAIA, adding that this agri-food sector is a critical path to feeding a growing global population with healthy ocean-based protein.

But over the past five years, the Trudeau government has caved to extreme activist pressure, disregarded its own scientific advice, and enacted damaging policies that have seen Canada’s seafood farming production plummet, said Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of CAIA.

In the face of looming U.S. tariffs that could devastate coastal communities, it is imperative to halt all damaging actions and policies that weaken our sector, he said.

“It is time to begin on a new and innovative pathway toward food security, job creation, and new economic and community opportunity through seafood farming,” added Kennedy.

Among the most damaging decisions by the Trudeau government is the proposed ban on ocean-based salmon farming in British Columbia post-2029, which will eliminate the province’s top agri-food export and destroy 4,560 jobs.

Ottawa is now advancing a reckless Transition Plan projected to leave taxpayers on the hook for $9 billion in compensation to existing salmon farmers, suppliers, and First Nations.

“As Canada’s most consumed seafood and B.C.’s largest export to California, farm-raised salmon plays a vital role in Canadian food security and trade,” said the   B.C. Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA).

According to the BCSFA, salmon farming relies on an integrated supply chain built on products from Canada and the U.S., from ingredients in salmon feed to food-safe packaging, with many suppliers and services in between.

“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 association in a statement.

“With meaningful federal support and redirection of the transition process, the B.C. salmon farming sector can continue providing 380 million nutritious meals every year while supporting communities and jobs across the country and contributing to Canada’s Blue Economy.”

(Image shows Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Parliament)