Canada's Agriculture Minister to Address Beef and Dairy Trade Issues with Trump Administration
Source: DairyNews.today
Canadian Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay said on Monday he is ready to tackle key trade issues, including bilateral beef trade and Canada’s dairy supply management system, as the country prepares for potential negotiations with the incoming Trump administration.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to formally notify Canada and Mexico of his intention to renegotiate the North American trade pact and has suggested imposing tariffs of 10% or higher on imports, a move that could significantly impact Canada’s economy.
Integrated Beef Trade at Stake
MacAulay emphasized the deep integration of the Canada-U.S. beef cattle industry, highlighting the potential risks of trade disruptions.
“We are so intertwined, and it’s so vitally important,” MacAulay said on the sidelines of an industry conference. “We intend to deal with the Trump administration as friends and ensure we continue the trade.”
Western Canada’s beef industry is heavily reliant on cross-border movement, with cattle frequently transported across the U.S. border for breeding, feeding, and slaughter.
Dairy Disputes Could Resurface
MacAulay acknowledged that Canada’s dairy supply management system could once again come under scrutiny.
“The last [Trump] administration involved a pretty heavy discussion about supply management,” MacAulay said. “It cost us some, but it turned out pretty good for everybody, and that’s what we want to ensure happens again.”
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA, technically increased U.S. access to Canada’s dairy market. However, some U.S. dairy and trade representatives have accused Canada of undermining the agreement’s intent.
Historical Strains and Future Talks
Relations between Canada and the U.S. grew strained during Trump’s first term, with threats to terminate NAFTA and demands for greater U.S. dairy access.
As Canada braces for potential renegotiations, MacAulay expressed optimism about maintaining a collaborative relationship while protecting key agricultural sectors.
Integrated Beef Trade at Stake
MacAulay emphasized the deep integration of the Canada-U.S. beef cattle industry, highlighting the potential risks of trade disruptions.
“We are so intertwined, and it’s so vitally important,” MacAulay said on the sidelines of an industry conference. “We intend to deal with the Trump administration as friends and ensure we continue the trade.”
Western Canada’s beef industry is heavily reliant on cross-border movement, with cattle frequently transported across the U.S. border for breeding, feeding, and slaughter.
Dairy Disputes Could Resurface
MacAulay acknowledged that Canada’s dairy supply management system could once again come under scrutiny.
“The last [Trump] administration involved a pretty heavy discussion about supply management,” MacAulay said. “It cost us some, but it turned out pretty good for everybody, and that’s what we want to ensure happens again.”
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA, technically increased U.S. access to Canada’s dairy market. However, some U.S. dairy and trade representatives have accused Canada of undermining the agreement’s intent.
Historical Strains and Future Talks
Relations between Canada and the U.S. grew strained during Trump’s first term, with threats to terminate NAFTA and demands for greater U.S. dairy access.
As Canada braces for potential renegotiations, MacAulay expressed optimism about maintaining a collaborative relationship while protecting key agricultural sectors.
