Editor's Note: On Thursday, March 6th, Trump paused tariffs on some Canadian goods, but only those that qualify under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA). Steel and aluminum tariffs are still set for next week, and reciprocal tariffs are on for April 2, 2025. While many American farm groups remain publicly silent, some U.S. agriculture organizations are... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
There are a lot of challenges facing agricultural producers in North America at this time in history, and while a lot of the ones commonly discussed are those that face farmers on the ground, the ones that crossover into government and policy can be just as challenging. As the farming population shrinks, Sean McCarty, government... Read More
How do farmers factor in the whirlwind of tariff news that continues to swirl around them as they attempt to navigate commodity markets? Jody Lawrence, founder of Strategic Trading Advisors, compares the situation to "a Rubik's cube that's fighting back." Joining the Tuesday edition of RealAg Radio, he says tariffs are a real wild card.... Read More
It was only a matter of time before tariffs became a reality for Mexico, Canada, and China. While the U.S. president was talking about fentanyl and illegal immigration, he was really focused on something much more concerning for Canada: structural monetary change. Many people continue to think about Trump 2.0 as if it's 1.0, and... Read More
Low commodity prices, a struggling ag economy, the future of ethanol markets, and trade tariff turbulence make up a cluster of storm clouds that's dampening farmer demand for new farm machinery. Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) senior vice president Curt Blades says the biggest thing that will change the direction of farm equipment sales is... Read More
Update, as of March 6: Implementation of this second tranche of Canadian counter-tariffs has been delayed until April 2 or later. The Canadian government has published a proposed list of U.S. imports worth C$125 billion it intends to hit with 25 per cent tariffs after a 21 day comment period. Retaliatory levies on an initial... Read More
The threatened tariffs on "day one" of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term are now in effect, as of March 4, 2025. The 25 per cent tax on all imports (10 per cent on energy) into the U.S. took effect at 12:01 am. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement ahead of the midnight deadline,... Read More
The Trump administration has forged ahead with implementing 25 per cent tariffs Canadian exports as of March 4, sending markets lower and triggering a previously-announced response from the Canadian government. "Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a statement late March 3. As announced prior to an... Read More
Canada's agriculture minister is planning to retire from federal politics. Lawrence MacAulay has decided he will not seek the Liberal nomination in his riding of Cardigan, which he has represented for over 36 years — making him the longest serving Liberal in the House of Commons. As reported, MacAulay had invited guests to a "major... Read More
It has been a fascinating winter of talking to audiences across Canada and the United States during this period of political wrangling and dramatic shifts in trade policy and economics. The United States is setting out on a new 4-year administration under Donald Trump, while Canada edges ever closer to a federal election in 2025.... Read More