Canadian, U.S., and Mexican Pork Producers United on Need to Protect Free Trade

U.S. voice strong support for maintaining the free flow of agricultural products across borders.

Florian Possberg, a partner at Polar Pork Farms, recently led an 11-member, three-generation delegation from Humboldt, Saskatchewan to the 2025 World Pork Expo in Des Moines. The goal: connect with U.S. producers, Canadian peers, and key customers — and emphasize the importance of trade unity.

“Across North America — Canadians, Mexicans, Americans — we operate in a deeply integrated pork market,” said Possberg. “It functions best with uninterrupted free trade and healthy competition.”

He noted that virtually all stakeholders in the industry—producers and processors alike—oppose barriers like tariffs or country-of-origin labeling mandates that could disrupt these long-standing relationships.

While U.S.-Canada trade agreements are under review, some U.S. concerns remain around Canadian supply management in dairy and, to a lesser extent, poultry. Possberg expressed hope that these tensions don’t spill over into hog, cattle, or grain negotiations.