FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Saskatoon, SK – The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is expressing deep concern following Canada’s decision to suspend trade negotiations with the United States, warning that walking away from the negotiating table creates unacceptable uncertainty for Canadian farmers and the broader economy.
While much of Canadian agriculture remains outside the immediate impact of the latest U.S. tariffs, the Wheat Growers say the deterioration of Canada’s most important trading relationship should concern every export-dependent sector.
“The United States is our largest customer, our closest ally and the world’s biggest market sitting directly on our doorstep,” said Gunter Jochum, President of the Wheat Growers. “Canadian farmers depend on trade. We cannot treat access to that market as something we hope works itself out.”
The Wheat Growers have consistently called for Canada to engage early and relentlessly in CUSMA negotiations. Through late April and May, however, questions remained about the timing and urgency of Canada’s negotiations while the United States and Mexico were already advancing bilateral discussions.
“Negotiations are difficult, and nobody expects Canada to accept a bad deal,” Jochum said. “But before you can negotiate hard, reject an unreasonable demand or ultimately conclude that an agreement isn’t possible, there is one basic requirement: you have to show up.“
The Wheat Growers say Canadian agriculture cannot afford a strategy based on waiting for U.S. politics to change.
“Our job is to deal with the America that exists, not the America we wish existed,” Jochum said. “Protectionism and economic nationalism aren’t going to disappear with one election or one president. We need to be relentlessly engaged with our American partners today.”
The organization emphasized the deep relationships that exist between Canadian and American agriculture and urged the federal government to use farmers, industry organizations and businesses as part of a broader Team Canada effort.
“American farmers aren’t asking us how they can compete against Canada. They’re asking how we continue competing together,” Jochum said. “Our supply chains, research, processing and markets have been built together over generations. Those relationships are one of Canada’s greatest negotiating assets. Put them to work.”
The Wheat Growers also cautioned against allowing agriculture to become collateral damage as trade tensions spread into additional sectors.
“Farmers are not pawns. Our crops are not bargaining chips. Our livelihoods are not negotiating currency,” Jochum said. “Trade wars too often deliver benefits to the few by distributing the costs across the many. Canadian agriculture should not be asked to carry those consequences.”
The Wheat Growers say they remain hopeful that the suspension of negotiations is temporary and part of a strategy to return both countries to serious discussions.
But hope, Jochum said, cannot substitute for engagement.
“Farmers aren’t asking our government to surrender. We’re asking it to negotiate. Defend Canadian interests fiercely. Push back when necessary. Compromise where it makes sense. But stay in the room.”
“You cannot negotiate with an empty chair. Canada needs to fill ours.”
Media Contact
Andy Yanko
Head of Comunications
Wheat Growers Association
Email: ayanko@wheatgrowers.ca