Open Trade Between Canada and the U.S. Key to Agricultural Stability

Florian Possberg, a partner with Polar Pork Farms, is emphasizing the importance of maintaining open, two-way agricultural trade across the Canada–U.S. border to ensure ongoing economic stability for North American agriculture.

Last month, the Office of the United States Trade Representative launched a 45-day public comment period to review the effectiveness and impact of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Possberg says that while the agreement currently allows zero tariffs on most agricultural products, there’s no guarantee that will remain the case in the future.

Possberg notes that some nations pay tariffs as high as 15 percent to trade with the U.S.—a rate that would make it nearly impossible for North American producers to stay competitive. He believes agriculture must be recognized as an integrated system across borders.

He also acknowledged one potential area of concern: the ongoing tension around dairy trade access, an issue highlighted by former President Trump. However, Possberg hopes this won’t lead to broader negative impacts on agricultural trade.

Maintaining open trade, he says, is vital for both sides of the border — ensuring the flow of livestock, feed, and finished products that underpin the shared success of the North American agricultural economy.