‘Very troubling:’ Sask. Cattleman’s Association worries over pending tariffs

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association is expressing concern over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

“It’s very troubling,” said CEO Grant McLellan.

“A 25 per cent tariff on all imports into the United States from Canada is substantial and sweeping, and ultimately would require a renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreements and that’s not due to be open until 2026 for reviews.

“So it was definitely something that was surprising to us in terms of the scale and scope of those types of tariffs.”

Read more:

• ‘Very serious conversation’: Moe says Trump’s tariffs would have huge impact
• How Canada is reacting to Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff
• In the news today: Tariffs mean pain for U.S. and Canada, leaders say

Earlier in the week, Trump posted on social media that he would sign an executive order to place tariffs on all products coming from Mexico and Canada. Trump said he was holding the two countries liable for drugs and “illegal aliens” entering the country.

Donald Trump’s social media post outlining proposed tariffs on products imported to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico (Truth Social/screenshot)

As Canada’s largest trading partner, McLellan said there is no way for Canada to replace the U.S. as the biggest export market for Canadian beef.

“What we’re trying to do is get our heads around whether this is a real threat, what the implications are, because our industry is highly integrated with the United States,” he said.

“They send a ton of animals up to be fed and finished in Canada, and we send a lot of animals down to be slaughtered and fed and finished as well … there’s far-reaching implications for beef producers on both sides of the border here.”

McLellan said there hasn’t been any time for a full analysis of the pending tariffs, but said they could potentially cost the Canadian beef industry billions of dollars.

While the effects of the proposed tariffs are yet to be seen, McLellan said producers could experience a shock wave on prices for animals.

McLellan said Canadian elected officials should ensure that the U.S. understands the consequences of the tariffs – saying they will impact U.S. citizens as well.

“We’re hopeful that those conversations will take place and that we will see, perhaps, these tariffs not come to fruition, but certainly we have to prepare ourselves for the worst,” he said.

Canadian leaders meet to discuss tariffs

Canada’s premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are expected to come together for a meeting to discuss tariffs, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is ready.

The meeting was set in order to discuss the possible 25 per cent tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods heading into the U.S., which president-elect Donald Trump posted about on social media Monday night.

Moe said on Tuesday the effects of such a tariff would be significant, and no job or industry would be untouched.