Copy of AFF Sentinel V22 #09-Trump Tariff Cliffhanger Continues

What Will We Learn Friday?

Steve Dittmer | AFF Sentinel

Colorado Springs, CO

Originally sent to subscribers 01/30/25

True to his druthers, President Trump and his team are keeping things close to the vest on tariff possibilities, except for saying he would announce 25 percent tariffs on both Canada and Mexico on Feb 1. He reiterated his intentions during a media briefing Thursday.

While little detail is available from D.C., we do know from north of the border that they have people in Washington talking to Administration people. Their foreign ministers and Alberta’s premier are there, especially since the President indicated there had not yet been any decision regarding oil. Much of Alberta’s oil comes into the U.S. It is also complicated in that Alberta’s heavy oil has to be processed at refineries set up to handle it, not just any refinery. The refineries are located in the Gulf region.

Of course, we are primarily concerned about the significant quantities of beef and the cattle that cross the border with Canada every day. But there are lots of other products, including auto parts, sub-assemblies and cars involved. Subassemblies may cross dozens of times before final installation in a car. Electricity generated hydroelectric plants crosses from Canada. Dairy products have been a source of difficult negotiations for years.

Mexico presents problems because we have been selling them more beef in recent years. Things are more complicated because cattle feeders have not been able to import feeder cattle this winter because of the screwworm infestations in southern Mexico. Winter can be the most common season for bringing in feeder cattle from Mexico.

Trump has been very open about his desire to shut off the flow of illegal aliens and fentanyl on both borders, although, of course, much more comes across the southern border. More has been crossing from Canada in the last year or so and that trend is not favorable. But Trump has mentioned the trade deficit as something high in his consideration, also. That is something that can’t be fixed overnight but would likely require some commitments from both countries regarding more purchases.

Mexico’s trade deficit is in the $40 billion range, while Canada’s is close to $140 billion.

The possibility of tariffs and the problems they would pose for farmers and ranchers came up in the Senate confirmation hearings for USDA Secretary-designate Brooke Rollins. She assured that as was done in the first Trump term, if there were losses for U.S. agriculture from any tariffs imposed, she would see that losses were offset.

Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. took the diplomatic stance that the two countries should be working together and any battle between them just benefits China. Ambassador Kirsten Hillman was one of the officials that flew to Mar-a-Lago with Prime Minister Trudeau when Trump first announced his intentions. In an interview, she would not commit to dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs but said Canada did not want to escalate things if possible.

If we are weakening each other’s economy, weakening each other’s national security, weakening each other’s ability to compete, that is not a good thing, Hillman said. And Arctic security is something both countries are concerned about with China and Russia jockeying for dominance.

Canada has committed to $1.3 billion into new surveillance, new equipment and more officers on the border.



Mexico has been accepting planeloads of deported illegals and has moved troops along the border to stem the flow of illegals.

Our address: Agribusiness Freedom Foundation, P.O. Box 88179, Colorado Springs, CO. 80908.

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