Food and agriculture have become critical levers in international politics. Governments are using tariffs, export bans, and regulatory restrictions to move prices and reset market access overnight. Many of these actions have not only been driven by shortages but also by efforts to shield domestic sectors and signal political pressure. Food is being weaponized, and Canadian agriculture is not immune.
Canadian farmers and exports have been the victims of this weaponization. China and India have both used tariffs for a variety of political and geopolitical purposes, disrupting markets Canadian exporters have built over decades. Yet, tariffs are only one tool. During 2022, at least 32 countries imposed export controls on food and fertilizers, including taxes, quotas, and outright bans. Nearly 17% of globally traded calories were affected by these measures at their height.
Want to read more? Download the Policy Brief below for this discussion from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.
