Canada and Mexico Spared, but U.S. Tariffs Still Pose Risk to Global Stability

Florian Possberg, partner with Polar Pork Farms, is raising concern over the potential ripple effects of the U.S. decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on 75 of its trading partners. While Canada and Mexico were notably excluded from the April 2nd announcement, the uncertainty surrounding further action is creating unease throughout the pork industry—and beyond.

“We’ve been spared,” Possberg said. “There’s no 25 percent tariff or any tariff on our live hogs that we send to the U.S., nor is there a tariff on the pork that trades back and forth between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.”

According to Possberg, strong cross-border advocacy has played a key role in keeping tariffs at bay for now. U.S. customers have been vocal in opposing any disruption to the reliable Canadian supply of live hogs, and stakeholders across Canada have stepped up to make the case for continued free trade.

“Sask Pork sent a contingent down to the Midwest to lobby on behalf of our industry, alongside Canada Pork and producers from across the country,” he explained. “In general, the agriculture community in the U.S. shares our perspective—free trade is critical.”