National Farmers Union calls for ‘serious response’ to tariffs

National Farmers Union says a more long-term strategy is necessary, including a more substantial policy to external disruptions

Published: March 6, 2025

File photo of the Canada-U.S. border crossing connecting Sarnia, Ont. and Port Huron, Michigan. (Eyfoto/iStock/Getty Images)

Glacier FarmMedia—The National Farmers Union says “a serious response” is needed to the tariffs, but any retaliatory measures must consider and protect Canadian farmers, farm workers and consumers.

While immediate measures are critical to addressing the situation, the NFU says a more long-term strategy is necessary.  This should include a more substantial policy to increase resilience and improve preparedness for external disruptions, and to reduce dependence on the United States, which is no longer a reliable trading partner.

President Trump’s disruptive strategy and lack of respect for rules means we can no longer consider trade agreements reliable,” the NFU said.

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The group said improvements to resilience and preparedness initiatives would strengthen Canadian agriculture and reduce vulnerability in supply chain disruptions, income loss, price increases and food shortages. It calls for changes that would not only address the current situation, but any future storms as well.

The statement acknowledges the crucial role of domestic and international markets for imports of farm equipment and inputs, and for exports of products.

The NFU calls for the prioritization of defending supply chain management, diversifying export markets, promoting and improving regional and local markets, protecting agricultural workers, upscaling domestic farm equipment manufacturing and preventing corporate profiteering.

It says short-term solutions include increasing domestic production of food goods and products and equipment fabrication to current demands and government measures to prevent corporate price gouging and to increase agriculture support.

While supports such as AgriStability are available for price drops and rising input costs, the organization says there isn’t a program to deal with a crisis such as tariffs.

The NFU says long-term solutions include adoption of a similar multifunctional policy framework similar to what’s in place in the European Union to provide market diversity and support to farmers and agricultural workers. Increasing food processing and equipment manufacturing will also support future economics through reliable food supply and infrastructure, it says.

Punitive American tariffs and a potentially expanding trade war create uncertainty that is harmful to our livelihoods and our communities,” the NFU says.

”We urge the government to move swiftly toward this goal.”

About the author

Janelle Rudolph

Janelle Rudolph

Reporter

Janelle Rudolph is a Glacier FarmMedia Reporter based in Rosthern, Sask. Janelle Rudolph's love of writing and information, and curiosity in worldly goings-ons is what led her to pursue her Bachelor of Communication and Digital Journalism from Thompson Rivers University, which she earned in 2024. After graduating, she immediately dove headfirst into her journalism career with Glacier FarmMedia. She grew up on a small cattle farm near Rosthern, Sask. which has influenced her reporting interests of livestock, local ag, and agriculture policy. In Janelle’s free time she can be found reading with a coffee in hand, wandering thrift and antique stores or spending time with friends and family.

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