Canadian Beef Producers Extremely Disappointed by US Tariffs to Begin February 4

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) are extremely disappointed that 25% tariffs will be implemented on Tuesday, February 4 on all products imported into the United States from Canada. We will continue working together with the Government of Canada and partners on both sides of the border to remove tariffs on live cattle and beef.

“The integration of the North American live cattle and beef supply chain is unlike anywhere in the world, contributing to both food security and local and regional food systems,” says Nathan Phinney, CCA President. “The United States and Canada have the largest two-way trade in live cattle and beef in the world. American-born cattle are fed in Canadian feedlots before returning to the United States for processing. Tariffs would greatly increase the cost of processing cattle and ultimately the cost of beef on both sides of the border.”

Will Lowe, Chair National Cattle Feeders’ Association, adds that a substantial number of live cattle are transported from Canada to the United States for processing. US processing plants rely on Canadian live cattle to maintain maximum processing capacity. This provides significant economic benefits and job opportunities to the northern US states.

Phinney emphasizes that the Canadian beef industry is a strong advocate of free and open trade. “We expect our trade agreements to be respected and honoured. International trade is advanced through negotiation and compromise, as was done with the revision of NAFTA by President Trump himself.”

Every day, $3.6 billion CDN in goods crosses the Canada–U.S. border, resulting in a $1.3 trillion annual trade relationship. Notably, Canadians purchase $722 USD/person of U.S. agricultural products each year while Americans purchase just $118 USD/person of Canadian agricultural products annually.