Grainswest - Spring 2025

Thewrongkindof interesting EARLY THIS YEAR, LIKE MOST CANADIANS, FARMERS anxiously followed news of the Trump tari threat. Some- what surprisingly, on Feb. 3, the American president promised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican Prime Minister Claudia Sheinbaum a 30-day reprieve. Unsurprisingly, in the days prior, the U.S. agriculture indus- try had begun to join its Canadian counterparts in opposition to the imposition of these tari s. “Farm and ranch families answer the call to feed America’s families and the world, and these tari s and the promised retaliation will put further stress on their livelihoods,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the influential American Farm Bureau, in a Feb. 2, press release. These are very interesting times, but unhappily so. Against a complex global backdrop of political and economic turmoil and shooting wars, a trade war with our neighbour and most valued ally strikes most as ludicrous. Canadian consumers have been riled enough to cancel U.S. vacations and product pur- chases. While such protest actions send a strong message, they may have limited economic impact. Should Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tari on trade goods and 10 per cent hit on energy EDITOR’S MESSAGE products take e ect, the provinces and the federal government stand ready with a strong counter-tari plan. It is generally accepted that whatever comes to pass, the U.S. will remain our top trading partner. Ahead of the updat- ed March tari deadline, Canadian politicians, diplomats and businesspeople continue discussions with their American coun- terparts. Out of necessity, Canadian industries have also begun to strategize against overexposure to the U.S. marketplace. For instance, the push to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and the proposed construction of a west-east oil pipeline have been renewed and the expansion of Canada’s network of inter- national trade o“ces has gained further momentum. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith cheered this momentum in her own Feb. 1, statement on Facebook. “Canada can and must now come together in an unprecedented e ort to preserve the livelihoods and futures of our people and expand our political and trade relationships across the globe,” she said. “We can no longer a ord to be so heavily reliant on one primary customer.” Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. is irreplaceable, but we should not expect a full return to the status quo. Alberta’s Crop Protection Guide Current The 2025 Blue Book is produced collaboratively by three of Alberta’s crop commissions. Scientific Current Trusted Don’t wait for the busy growing season! Visit albertabluebook.com to place your order for the 2025 Blue Book today.