Fallout from Trump-China tariffs will hurt Canadians




China’s tariff responses to the United States’ tariffs will have impacts on Canadians, such as soybean, pork and frozen beef exports.

Given reduced Chinese purchases, U.S. exporters will be more aggressive in seeking other export markets which will cut into Canadian exports.

On the other hand, China may buy more pork, soybeans and frozen beef from Canadians.

“The tariff certainly changes the landscape a little bit but China still remains a very viable market for Canadian exports,” said Marcus Mattinson, spokesman for the Canadian Meat Council.

Canadian red meat exports to China surged to $835 million in 2016, up from $334 million in 2010.

A pilot project announced in December that would allow China to accept Canadian chilled 

beef and pork provides another window of opportunity for Canadian producers, he added.

On top of that, the rebooted Trans-Pacific Partnership could facilitate the enhanced penetration into Pacific Rim countries.

The latest 25 per cent levy on U.S. goods could create some opportunities for Canadian soy exporters, but will also force Canada to fend off imports at home and defend sales to 69 other markets, said Soy Canada executive director Ron Davidson.

“What we’re looking at here is substantive instability in the world market while we try to sort out where everybody’s beans are going,” he said in an interview.

Canada sold nearly five million tonnes of soybean products valued at $2.7 billion to China last year.