Canadian dairy farmers are warning against any concessions involving their sector as trade talks intensify with the United States ahead of President Donald Trump\u2019s tariff deadline.<\/p>\n
A new round of 50 per cent tariffs on a range of Canadian goods is set to take effect on Aug. 19. Unlike most of Trump\u2019s other tariffs, these would have no exemptions for goods that comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico agreement on trade.<\/p>\n
The supply management system that protects Canadian dairy has been cited by the U.S. as a key irritant in trade negotiations and Trump has repeatedly complained about the level of U.S. dairy farmers\u2019 access to Canada\u2019s market.<\/p>\n
Dairy Farmers of Canada says it\u2019s urging the federal government not to offer any more concessions on dairy or supply management in talks with the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur food sovereignty is not for sale; a bad deal is not worth the cost,\u201d the organization said in a statement to The Canadian Press.<\/p>\n
\u201cCanada has already made several concessions in recent months to advance CUSMA review discussions with the U.S. \u2014 only to be met each time with fresh demands. It is difficult to see how more concessions would produce a different result.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday his government is \u201cloyal\u201d to the supply management system.<\/p>\n
Other trade irritants flagged by the U.S., where American negotiators are pushing for concessions, include the federal government\u2019s \u201cBuy Canadian\u201d procurement policy, quotas on certain U.S. vehicles and provincial bans on sales of U.S. alcohol.<\/p>\n
An annual document published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative in March said market access barriers imposed by provincial liquor control boards \u201cgreatly hamper\u201d exports of U.S. wine, beer and spirits to Canada.<\/p>\n
Several Canadian provinces pulled American booze from shelves last year after Trump imposed tariffs. The document said the U.S. wants its alcohol products to \u201cimmediately and permanently\u201d return to all markets.<\/p>\n
The office of Quebec\u2019s minister of finance said in a statement Friday that American products will stay off the province\u2019s liquor store shelves until an agreement Quebec considers fair has been negotiated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sale of alcohol falls exclusively under the Quebec government,\u201d the spokesperson said in a French statement. \u201cIt\u2019s Quebec, and only Quebec, that will make a decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is leaving Washington Friday after meeting with industry groups and various senators, and is set to return Monday.<\/p>\n
Janice Charette, Canada\u2019s chief trade negotiator, is remaining in Washington over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Gabriel Brunet, a spokesperson for LeBlanc, said that as detailed trade discussions between the two countries continue, the government \u201cwill not comment on specifics.\u201d<\/p>\n