In late November, President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on imported goods from Canada and Mexico. Despite in-person meetings between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the incoming president, the threats have not subsided, concerning many product and supply-chain industries, including horticulture.
Tariffs on agricultural products are predicted to have two impacts: Canadian producers would face higher production and export costs, while American consumers would experience increased food prices.
Farm and food leaders in both countries are raising alarms because the U.S. is the largest importer of horticultural goods from Canada, as well as from Mexico.
And estimated 53 percent of U.S. fresh fruit imports and 89 percent of fresh vegetable import value come from both trade partners. Canada, specifically, accounts for 20 percent of those fresh vegetable imports and 2 percent of fruit imports, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.
Read more at AgDaily