EDITORIAL: Crushed by the two tariff tyrants
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The latest crippling tariff imposed by China on Canadian canola seeds is a graphic illustration of how Prime Minister Mark Carney and the previous government of Justin Trudeau have utterly failed to protect this country’s vital industries.
Our ineffectual trade negotiations have resulted in this country being crushed between two industrial and commercial behemoths — China and the U.S.
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This week, China announced a 76% import duty on Canadian canola seeds. This follows a round robin of tit-for-tat tariffs, involving Canada, the U.S. and China.
Last year, in concert with the U.S. and in order to keep that country happy, Canada imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, effectively cutting them out of the North American market. In March, Canada’s 25% duties on steel and aluminum resulted in China adding a 100% tariff on canola meal.
Western farmers are paying the price while the federal government protects the auto, steel and aluminum industries, which are largely located in Ontario and Quebec. Let’s not forget, those farmers are Canadian. The big three auto manufacturers are U.S.-owned. And the U.S. gave us nothing in return.
President Donald Trump continues to use us as his tariff whipping boy, with none of the concessions or delays he gave to China and Mexico.
It’s all very well for Carney and Co. to chant meaningless slogans like “Elbows Up” and “diversify.” It’s difficult to diversify when the world’s two largest economies are waging war on this country’s two most valuable industries.
At a news conference this week, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe put it in perspective: Canada exports $4 billion of canola seed to China. Canola is planted on more than 12 million acres in this country and employs more than 200,000 people.
“That’s significantly larger than the steel industry, the aluminum industry and the car manufacturing industry combined,” Moe said.
The government has announced support to the auto, steel and aluminum sectors, but so far has been vague on help for farmers. The truth is, they don’t want government handouts. They want Carney to negotiate this country out of the corner he’s painted us into, so they can earn a decent wage from their blood, sweat and tears.
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