Canadian Meat Council urges federal action as Chinese tariffs threaten meat processors

The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) calls on the federal government to take urgent action, as escalating trade tensions with China threaten thousands of jobs and the financial health of Canadian meat processors.

The recent imposition of 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on Canadian pork by China has dealt a severe blow to one of the country’s most vital export sectors. To date, support measures, such as those announced through the AgriStability fund, haven’t been been helpful, as processors are not eligible for this form of assistance.

The Canadian Meat Council is calling for direct, targeted financial support for meat processors to offset the impact of these tariffs and to help maintain slaughter capacity.

“China’s tariffs will have a significant impact on both employment and production, potentially leading to widespread layoffs or even closures of operations,” said Chris White, CEO of the Canadian Meat Council. “This situation is devastating—not only for meat processors, but also for the thousands of people employed and the communities that depend on them.”

China has long been a critical market for Canadian pork and beef producers. According to CMC, some meat processors are projecting losses of over $100 million this year.  CMC is urging the federal government to provide immediate financial support for affected processors to match the scale of projected losses, as well as strengthen trade diplomacy efforts to resolve the tariff dispute with China.

To recall, on March 8, 2025, China concluded an ‘anti-discrimination’ investigation that it launched against Canada on September 26, 2024. The investigation resulted in tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, peas, fish, seafood and pork products, which came into force on March 20, 2025. These tariffs are in retaliation to Canada’s 100 per cent levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles and a 25 per cent tax on aluminum and steel products, which were announced last year.

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