CPMA Welcomes Removal of Canadian Retaliatory Tariffs on CUSMA-Compliant Produce Items

CANADA - Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will remove its existing retaliatory tariffs on CUSMA-compliant goods, which include several fresh produce items, as of September 1st.

CPMA is extremely pleased to see this announcement, which follows significant advocacy efforts to remove the tariffs since they were first introduced in March. Over the past few months, CPMA has taken every opportunity to engage with elected and departmental officials and has raised this topic through multiple letters, meetings, and stakeholder sessions, and we continue to work with our partners across the continent to emphasize the importance of tariff-free produce trade.

In 2024 alone, Canada imported close to $5.5 billion in fresh produce from the United States, representing a little less than half of all fresh produce imports. Canada also imported another $3 billion in fresh produce from Mexico. Just as important, Canadian companies exported just over $4.5 billion in fresh produce to the United States, comprising more than 97% of all fresh produce exports. These figures highlight the critical interconnectedness of our agricultural economies.

CPMA will continue to advocate for the importance of free and fair produce trade across North America, and to engage with the Canadian government to advance Canadian interests in the renewal of CUSMA in the coming months.