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By Alice McFarlane

Agricultural tariffs

Tariff reprieve for agriculture

Apr 3, 2025 | 10:07 AM

The agriculture sectors of Canada and Mexico were spared from new tariffs as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement.

Trump’s reciprocal tariffs ranged from 10 to 50 per cent to a very long list of countries starting on Apr. 9.

Imports not covered by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA or USMCA) as of Apr. 5 will be applied a 10 per cent duty.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said it was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appeared the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between the two countries. It also appeared this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.

“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months. It means that most goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods,” Smith said.

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Tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. Smith said the efforts of premiers and the federal government should shift towards removing or significantly reducing the remaining tariffs.

“I again call on all involved in our national advocacy efforts to focus on diplomacy and persuasion while avoiding unnecessary escalation,” she added. “Clearly, this strategy has been the most effective to this point.

Smith stated it appeared the worst of this tariff dispute is behind us though there is still work to be done.

“It is my sincere hope that we, as Canadians, can abandon the disastrous policies that have made Canada vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States, fast-track national resource corridors, get out of the way of provincial resource development and turn our country into an independent economic juggernaut and energy superpower,” she said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW