Wednesday, 05 March 2025 12:25

O Canada

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: Donald Trump's focus on Canada is causing concern for the country’s dairy farmers.

While Trump wants to make Canada the 51st US state, it’s clear that the Canadian dairy industry is also on the president’s mind.

The US is said to have long desired to expand access to the tightly controlled Canadian dairy market. At the same time, Canada has strongly defended its supply management system. Trump linked his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico to claims about fentanyl and migrants. And, when it comes to dairy, the new Trump administration is making it clear that Canada will face a familiar fight.

Dairy trade might be small – the US exported US$1billion worth of dairy to Canada in 2023, while the total amount of goods shipped across its northern border was about US$354 billion – but the industry has a reputation as a long-time, cross-border irritant.

Canadian dairy farmers hope the current trade imbalance in dairy, which greatly favours the US, will be a saviour. Canada exported about $300m in dairy products to the US in 2023.

More like this

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

Suitors line up

OPINION: As Fonterra's divestment of its Oceania and global consumer businesses progresses, clear contenders are emerging.

On the go

OPINION: After hopping from one event to another at Fieldays, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard would have been hoping for a rest.

Misguided campaign

OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is polluting the environment.

Featured

Farmstrong marks 10 years of rural support

Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.

National

Machinery & Products

Farming smarter with technology

The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter