A commentary by the director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

The Trump administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican food products is a wake-up call for Canada’s agri-food sector.

As a nation that prides itself on food security and a robust agricultural trade surplus, Canada faces a critical test of its ability to remain competitive in an increasingly protectionist global economy.

According to the new Global Agri-Food Most Influential Nations Ranking, compiled by the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and commissioned by MNP, Canada ranks 13th among G20 nations in terms of global agri-food influence. The United States, our neighbour, is No. 1.

While our country has high performance in food security and political stability, its weaknesses lie in innovation, trade diversification, regulatory efficiency, and interprovincial trade barriers.

These vulnerabilities are being exploited by the latest U.S. trade policy shift.

Canada’s agri-food trade surplus stands at $13.3 billion, ranking fifth among G20 nations. This surplus underscores Canada’s role as a net food exporter, supplying high-quality agricultural products to global markets, with the U.S. being the most significant trading partner.

A 25% tariff on Canadian food exports will inevitably disrupt this balance, making........

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