Tariff Feedback: Chuck Grassley and Canadian leaders respond to the possibility of tariffs

25 percent tariffs are just days away for Canada and Mexico, which are both major trade partners of the United States.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says while there could be retaliatory tariffs, this is what the people decided.

“The country has turned protectionist and mercantilist, and I don’t think that’s good. But we did have an election decided that the country likes what Trump’s trying to do.”

Canadian leaders have also been vocal about the tariff threats, saying the energy markets could be in for a shock if they go through.

“Our entire trade surplus is due to oil and gas. We export at enormous discounts to market price. Depending on the time, we sell a barrel of oil to the Americans for 10 to 30 or 40 percent cheaper than the world price. If President Trump wants to make America richer, the last thing he should want to do is block the under-priced Canadian energy from going into his marketplace,” said Pierre Poilievre, the current Canadian Conservative Party Leader.

Poilievre is widely believed to be Canada’s next Prime Minister. President Trump has given a Saturday start date for the 25 percent tariffs if Canada and Mexico do not cooperate with his immigration plan.

Related Stories
At CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney discusses profitability, consumer demand, and how the integrated U.S.–Canada beef supply chain impacts cattle producers across North America.
The USDA’s February WASDE report looms as the CME Ag Economy Barometer shows declining farmer confidence, and more ag industry groups calling for swift policy action.
Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
The U.S. trade deal with Argentina creates new export opportunities for U.S. livestock and crop producers but also raises competitive concerns.
More flexible export financing could strengthen demand in emerging markets and support higher U.S. agricultural exports.
Incremental trade clarity with India could support select U.S. ag exports, but major gains hinge on future market-access talks.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The USDA is working with 14 different states, including Georgia, to develop and implement block grants to address the unique disaster recovery needs for each state.
The decline in production marks the second consecutive year of contraction in the U.S. turkey industry.
“Those could’ve easily been our beans going over there. It goes to show that if that opportunity is there, China would be willing to buy.”
We caught up with Karen Braun, Chief Market Analyst at Zaner Ag Hedge, at the Women in Agribusiness to discuss the data behind commodity trading.
Weston Brown joined us on Monday in the RFD-TV Studios in Nashville to share how he is preparing for the upcoming National FFA Convention & Expo.
Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn joined us Monday to share highlights from Secretary Brooke Rollins’ visit and her perspective on USDA’s new initiatives.