Canadian cattle producers warn of beef price surge as Trump tariff war starts

Canadian cattle producers have warned the cost of beef “will greatly increase on both sides of the border” after US president Donald Trump followed through on his long-threatened plan to impose significant tariffs on three major trading partners.

On Saturday Mr Trump signed an executive order applying tariffs of 25 per cent on all imports from Canada and Mexico (with the exception of Canadian oil and energy products which will incur a 10 per cent) and a 10 per cent tariffs on goods from China. On Monday, the tariff surge was postponed for one month, following conversations between presidents.

Mexico and Canada both supply large numbers of feeder and slaughter cattle into the US production system every year, respectively exporting 1.2 million and 730,000 cattle in 2023.

Cattle exports from Mexico were temporarily suspended by the USDA in November 2024 due to a detection of New World Screwworm in southern Mexico. The USDA lifted the ban and announced the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico on Saturday, February 1, Beef Central said.