Sask. government appeals to feds after farm equipment hit by tariffs

The Saskatchewan government is urging Ottawa to step up negotiations with Washington and support Canadians caught in the crossfire of expanded U.S. tariffs.

Trade and Export Minister Warren Kaeding has written to federal ministers Dominic LeBlanc and Fançois-Philippe Champagne, pressing them to keep talks alive with the United States after sweeping tariff changes hit Canadian exports.

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As of Aug. 18, the U.S expanded its Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs to cove more than 400 derivative products. Among them are tractors, combines, grain carts and grain-handling equipment manufactured in Saskatchewan.

The US has expanded its steel and aluminum tariffs to manufactured products that include Canadian steel and aluminum.

This is a major blow to Saskatchewan ag equipment makers who employ thousands of people in our province.

Our Minister of Trade Warren Kaeding has written to the… pic.twitter.com/sPUJEih81y

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) August 22, 2025

Kaeding said the impact is immediate as Saskatchewan’s agriculture manufacturers ship more than $4.2 billion worth of equipment to 148 countries each year, with nearly 80 per cent destined for the American market.

The new duties, he warned, puts jobs, innovation and Canada’s reputation as a global leader in farm machinery at risk.

“These tariffs are already hurting Saskatchewan manufacturers who simply cannot compete with costs inflated by a 50 per cent duty,” Kaeding wrote. “We need urgent federal action to protect Canadian businesses and workers.”

The minister’s letter stressed two priorities: continuing high-level negotiations with Washington to secure tariff relief, and ensuring Ottawa delivers support for Canadians now bearing the burden of higher costs.

The province argues that the tariffs not only threaten Saskatchewan’s economy but also food security and sustainability worldwide.

Farm equipment built here underpins production across North America and beyond, and Kaeding warns the ripple effects could undermine global competitiveness.

This is not the first time the Saskatchewan has been hit by international trade disputes.

Past tariffs from both the United States and China have already strained the province’s export economy. Kaeding said this late round of duties is “yet another hit” that demands an aggressive federal response.

The Saskatchewan government has signalled its willingness to work alongside Ottawa to press the U.S. for change.

But Kaeding’s message is clear: the federal government must act quickly to stabilize the market and reassure manufactures that Canada will defend its industries.

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