On 4 March 2025, the United States (U.S.) implemented tariffs on its imports of goods – including 25% tariffs (ad valorem basis) on all agriculture goods – from Canada and Mexico, its two close allies and trading partners, including as parties to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The U.S. WTO Goods Schedule contains bound tariffs set below 25% (ad valorem basis) across every agriculture-related HS Chapter and group of products (Agreement on Agriculture Annex 1 definition), including grains and oilseeds, meat and meat products, fruits, nuts and vegetables, dairy products as well as processed agri-food products and beverages, with only very few products with bound tariffs set above 25% (ad valorem basis).
As such, this measure is a blatant violation of the U.S.’ market access obligations at the WTO, negatively impacting over USD 35 billion worth of annual agriculture and agri-food imports from Canada (2020-2024 average).
a. Has the US considered the severe negative impacts of these unjust tariffs on the rules-based multilateral trading system?
b. Has the US considered the impacts such tariffs will have on North American and global food security, economic growth and prosperity?
c. Considering the highly integrated nature of North America’s supply chains, including in the agricultural sector, has the US considered the negative impacts these tariffs will have on inflation, including food prices?