Canada Rejects U.S. Demands for Dairy Market Access Amid Tariff Threats

Canada’s International Trade and Economic Development Minister, Mary Ng, has made it clear that Canada will not grant the United States more access to Ottawa’s dairy market, despite threats of tariffs from President Trump.

Canada’s supply management system regulates imports of dairy, poultry, and eggs to maintain stable prices for both farmers and consumers. When asked if Canada would need to make any trade concessions to avoid tariffs next month, Ng said she did not think so.

At the same time, Ng stated that Canada is exploring other markets for trade and has recently signed a free trade agreement with Ecuador, the sixth-largest economy in South America.

Ng also expressed openness to the UK returning to trade talks, but emphasized that her current focus is on increasing trade with other countries. Trade discussions with the UK broke down last year after the UK demanded duty-free access to Canada’s cheese market, a request Canada refused.