As Donald Trump bullies and threatens Canada on trade, U.S pork suppliers beg tariff exemption from their northern neighbor

With President Donald Trump tariffs creating uneasy trade relations with other countries, including Canada, US Pork producers' council has sought relief from the Canadian government.

In a letter to Department of Finance of Canada, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has urged to avoid "tit-for-tat tariff exchanges" citing it will hamper the supply network.



Canada was the fifth-largest export market for U.S. pork last year, with shipments valued at about $850 million, USDA data show. U.S. pork producers continue to face uncertainty over the impact of trade disputes on demand.


Meanwhile, the Canadian government said that it will be consulting with the public and stakeholders for a broad second tranche of retaliatory tariffs. The government does not plan to announce new tariffs until April 2 when reciprocal tariffs are announced by Trump. These could include a wide range of products imported from the U.S. such as passenger vehicles and trucks, electric vehicles, fruits and vegetables, aerospace products, beef, pork and dairy.


Earlier in March, Canada had resumed imports from the biggest U.S. pork-processing plant, a Smithfield Foods facility in Tar Heel, North Carolina, after suspending shipments for about a week, the company said on Friday.


The halt temporarily limited a market for American pork products at a time when U.S. farmers fear that agricultural exports will suffer from tit-for-tat tariff disputes with major buyers including Mexico, Canada and China.


The suspension lasted from March 6 to March 12, and pork items produced by the facility after March 12 are eligible for export to Canada again, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

FAQs

Q1. When will Donald Trump's tariff come into effect?
A1. Donald Trump's tariff will come into effect from April 2.

Q2. What is full form of NPPC?
A2. The full form of NPCC is National Pork Producers Council.