U.S. Fertilizer group calls for tariff exemption

Fertilizer industry representatives on both sides of the border are upset with U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which have recently been postponed.

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), the self-described “voice of the fertilizer industry” in the U.S. has urged “the Trump Administration to exempt Canadian potash and other fertilizers from the tariff order” in a February 2 press release.

90 per cent of potash imports to the U.S. market come from Canada. TFI noted the approach of the spring planting season, saying nutrient delivery and application will soon be essential.

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Currently, the imposition of tariffs has been delayed to March.

In a statement e-mailed to Glacier FarmMedia Monday, Fertilizer Canada President and CEO Karen Proud expressed deep concern on behalf of her organization at how tariffs could affect the North American fertilizer trade

“Farmers on both sides of the border rely on North American-produced fertilizer to grow strong, healthy, high-yielding crops that feed us all,” the statement read.

“Canadian fertilizer exports to the United States support American farmers and imposing tariffs will jeopardize this deeply integrated, open trading relationship that is vital to North American agricultural producers, particularly as farmers on both sides of the border prepare for spring planting.”

Proud also said the measure will “distort the U.S. market in favour of countries such as Russia and China, who do not operate under the same environmental, human rights and trade practices, undermining the critical trade goals of each of our countries.”

A representative from Fertilizer Canada said the organization has no official comment on TFI’s exemption request.

Trump agreed to a 30-day delay on the tariffs following a late Monday phone call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. TFI responded with another written release, stating it “welcomes the announcement from the Trump Administration to pause tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada.”