OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) recently pushed the Canadian government for financial support following China’s recent 25% retaliatory tariff on pork imports.

The trade association said the support was critical for the viability of some processing facilities, with some projecting C$100 million in losses in 2025.

“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, chief executive officer of CMC. “This situation is devastating — not only for meat processors, but also for the thousands of people employed and the communities that depend on them. As party leaders focus their campaigns on the uncertainty surrounding our relationship with the US, I urge them to devote attention to the Chinese tariffs that are already causing destabilizing and damaging effects in our industry.”

Trade escalations worldwide could also threaten thousands of jobs and the financial health of pork processors.

The Chinese government implemented the tariffs following a domestic ‘anti-discrimination’ investigation launched against Canada at the end of September 2024. Some of the products facing tariffs starting on March 20 include pork, fish, seafood, peas, canola oil and meal.

According to the CMC release, the tariffs were a retaliation against Canada’s 100% levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles along with a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel products.

The trade association pointed out that tariffs like this will affect pork and beef processors and the entire supply chain that relies on agri-food jobs.

In its latest update, CMC explained the red meat sector contributes more than C$20 billion to its national economy and supports around 70,000 jobs.