AFBF - American Farm Bureau Federation

08/18/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/18/2026 14:17

U.S. Approaches Tariff Deadline with Canada

Cameron Castillo

Associate Economist

Chad Smith

Associate News Service Editor, NAFB

Farmers and ranchers are watching the clock ahead of an important trade deadline at midnight on Wednesday. Chad Smith has more.

Smith: The U.S. and Canada are rapidly approaching a midnight Wednesday deadline for negotiations to avoid a 50 percent tariff on several Canadian imports into the U.S. Cameron Castillo, an associate economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the tariffs are set to be wide-ranging.
Castillo: About $20 billion worth of Canadian products on everything from alcohol to furniture to dairy products and even hockey sticks. The reason for these tariffs are what the Trump administration has identified as some unfair trade barriers against American exports.
Smith: Castillo says there are some important exemptions, but the tariffs overall would be difficult for farmers and ranchers.
Castillo: These tariffs would not cover critical supplies such as potash or critical minerals from Canada. But tariffs overall are generally not a good thing for the American farmer, and we could be put in a situation where, as a result of any sort of potential retaliation as a function of these 50 percent tariffs, the farm economy could be put into even a further pinch.
Smith: He said there is still time to come to an agreement, but discussions remain mostly private.
Castillo: Right now, folks have described the talks as very delicate, intense. We don't know much about what's happening behind the scenes, but we hope that the U.S. and the Canadians can strike a deal because ultimately, the imposition of 50 percent tariffs could have some significant effects.
Smith: Chad Smith, Washington.
AFBF - American Farm Bureau Federation published this content on August 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 18, 2026 at 20:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]