Alberta cattle producers express optimism in wake of Trump's tariff threat
Cattle producers in Alberta don't appear to be overly concerned by the threat of tariffs by United States president-elect Donald Trump.
Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, said last week he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods coming into the U.S.
Graham Friesen with Buster Industries Ltd. is among those in the cattle industry who spoke with CTV News outside of the Innisfail Auction Mart on Wednesday.
He said the threat of tariffs is a negotiation tactic commonly used by Trump, and that it's too early to be concerned about any sort of impact it could have.
"I think it's a game. It's a tactic that Trump uses," he said. "He's a game player. He's serious about it, but it's not thing that we can't handle."
Friesen says the industry is currently faring quite well.
"We are at an all-time high right now, this is the highest calf crop ever in Alberta," he said. "Farmers and ranchers get paid well for their calves. I hope it continues into the new year that we can make some money on these high-priced calves."
Friesen says about 70 per cent of his boxed beef crosses the Canada-U.S. border.
"That would probably be the one that would get taxed," he said.
"I do believe there's going to be some tariffs because he did that last term, but as far as in the cattle business, we don't know. I think it's too early to tell what the fallout will be from that if there's going to be any."
Duane Daines of the Innisfail Auction Market says there was some uncertainty that crept in, after Trump announced a tariff threat.
"It's just talk, I think we've heard this song before for quite a few years," he said.
"When it first came out, I was a little uncertain. There's a lot of major players in the beef industry – Canada and U.S. – and we're all connected together. I just thought they might sit on their hands for a couple days, but that didn't happen, so that was a pleasant surprise."
Daines says most calves are selling between $2,000 and $2,500 per head.
According to Canfax, just under 45 per cent of Canada's beef is exported, 75 per cent of which is to the U.S.
"We've had record highs, but we've also probably had record costs going into it, just like everything else," said Daines.
"We're all in this deal together, and we all should work together. Talk is cheap, but we just want to keep rolling on in our industry."
Trump said he plans to implement the tariff on the first day of his presidency unless Canada and Mexico can improve border security and the fentanyl crisis.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City
The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions.
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
Ticketmaster hidden fees settlement credits expected in 2025 following class-action lawsuit by Regina lawyer
A longstanding lawsuit against Ticketmaster is nearing its end, with a judge expected to approve the more than $6 million dollar settlement before the end of the year.
What is still being delivered? What to know about the Canada Post strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.
How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses
New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease.
Which guns are now banned in Canada? Here's what you need to know
Canada is expanding its federal ban on firearms, adding 324 makes and models of guns to the prohibited weapons list, effective immediately.