Canada suspends imports from biggest U.S. pork processing plant

Canada has blocked imports from the biggest U.S. pork processing plant, a facility run by Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina, the company said on Friday.

The suspension comes as Washington and Ottawa have sparred in a heated dispute over trade tariffs.

It is the latest blow for America’s farm sector, which has been roiled by concerns that U.S. tariffs will spark retaliation from top importers that reduces demand for American agricultural products.


The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the suspension was in line with standard protocols and unrelated to recent trade activity. The agency and Smithfield, the largest U.S. pork processor, did not specify what triggered Canada’s action.

“Under Canada’s policy, three non-compliance issues within six months trigger a temporary suspension,” USDA said.

Blocking shipments from the plant limits a market for U.S. pork products.

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Canada suspends imports from biggest U.S. pork processing plant

The suspension comes as the U.S. and Canada have engaged in a heated dispute over trade tariffs

www.theglobeandmail.com

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Decreased exports mean increased supply at the US grocery chains, and maybe lower prices.

Some of the tariff money on stuff coming in could be used to help the affected farmers, ranchers, and fishermen.

 

[Margery]

I'm pretty sure it's tariff related. There are more actions being considered by Canadian authorities. The province I live in is considering a toll fee or an environmental tax on all traffic going up to Alaska across the border in BC. They say it's only for truckers for now. Tourists going north would still be ok, as long as they aren't hauling commercial loads.

It's getting ugly. The premier of Ontario is surcharging a 25% increase in the price of outgoing electricity which feeds NY, MN and MI. The premier of Alberta is considering increasing the cost of Canadian crude going south to the refineries in the States, which will ensure we pay more at the pumps too, as we rely on US refineries for much of our domestic gas. Quebec and Manitoba are also considering jacking up the price of electricity exports. They point out that Trump said he didn't need anything from Canada so they aren't waiting for him to put tariffs on, they are surcharging in advance. Alberta points out that if their oil was being sold below market in the States, they need to rectify it immediately and charge more.

The border police on our side have been charging taxes to Canadians going south for a few hours to grocery shop as of today. The couple on the news was charged 370$ for about 70$ worth of groceries when they attempted to come home. They appealed and it was dropped to an import fee of "only" $70 on top of their $70 groceries. They aren't waiting around for individual Canadians to "buy Canadian"!

This should blow over eventually but it's going to be unpleasant for a little. Christians on both sides of the border will feel the pain, but it shouldn't disrupt our unity in Christ.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Eventually, the borders are going to close to keep US and Canadian citizens from shopping across the border to avoid tariff-related pricing. I could see eggs and some other shortage items not being allowed out of the US, too.

When the borders close, President Trump gets his demand of increased security from Canada.

 

[Margery]

sigh, I know. I'm thankful I forked over a ton of my budgetary expenditures to LLBean, Johnsonville sausages cause gluten free, top quality and I'm stocked up on gluten free Nature's path cereal and that Bob's Red Mill grits you got me onto. I stocked up!

I also bought a purse and 3 pairs of shoes from the States! Oh and my favourite American brand lipstick (Merit- out of LA in southern California)

 

[Tall Timbers]

Smithfield was wholly owned by a Hong Kong company until just weeks ago when they sold part of the company to the public. The farmers though are independent American farmers who own their farms and contract with Smithfield.