The ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and Canada has intensified as President Donald Trump announced potential tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber.
Trump accused Canada of unfair trade practices.
“Canada has been ripping us off for years on tariffs for lumber and for dairy products, 250%. Nobody ever talks about that,” Trump said. “250% tariff, which is taking advantage of our farmers, so that’s not gonna happen anymore. They’ll be met with the exact same tariff unless they drop it.”
In response, the Canadian Trade Minister refuted Trump’s claims, calling them “not true” and labeling the proposed tariffs as “completely unjustified.”
The potential impact is causing concern among American farmers, including those at Willowbend Farm in Ontario County, which has been in the Mueller family for nearly seven decades.
George Mueller, a longtime cattle farmer, expressed his fears.
“To see a worldwide depression coming because we stop trading, to me, would be the saddest thing human beings could do right now,” he said.
Economic commentator Thomas Fellows echoed these concerns.
“These farmers are going to be absolutely crushed,” he said. “There’s going to be an oversupply of milk and prices will actually go down, but these farmers will be in big-time trouble if these tariffs happen.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul also addressed the potential challenges for dairy farmers, noting that the construction of North America’s largest dairy processing facility, Fairlife, in the Rochester region presents a significant opportunity.
However, she warned of the potential impact.
“These tariffs are going to make it so much more complicated,” Hochul said.
While the tariffs are not yet official, Trump indicated they could be implemented as early as Monday or Tuesday.
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