Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay told a meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Monday that U.S. tariffs on Canadian agriculture would be devastating for both countries.
He said $200 million in agricultural and food products cross the border between the U.S. and Canada every day.
“We do our part to help feed Americans, and we know that you are vital to providing us in Canada with products that we so vitally need,” MacAulay said.
For several states, Canada is the largest market for livestock, processed foods and even biofuels. Canada is the top market for U.S. ethanol exports, for instance.
“Any disruption … would be devastating to both of our countries,” MacAulay said. “It is in our interests to avoid that.”
MacAulay said “the ties between our two nations run deep. We have been by your side in times of war. We’ve answered your call in times of great need. We are partners, allies, neighbors, but most of all, we’re great friends.”
He said sometimes beef cattle cross the border five or six times before slaughter and Canada provides hundreds of thousands of p;igs to the U.S. every year.
