b'isnt a direct target, the industry cant escape the ripple eff ects, Comin says. Packaging, seed treatments, machineryall of these are tied to trade policies. And for sectors like pulses, forage, turf, and rye, where exports to the U.S. are signifi cant, the stakes are even higher.Michael Harvey, executive director of CAFTA, says both Canada and the United States will be worse offbecause of trade disruptions.We have this highly integrated North American supply chain. We really produce things together, says Harvey. If we start moving in the direction of taking that supply chain apart, the industry on both sides of the border would be a lot poorer, and consumers on both sides of the border would be a lot poorer, too.Errol Anderson is a Calgary-based market analyst and author of ErrolsSeeds Canadas decision to join CAFTA comes at a crucial Commodity Wire. time. Harvey acknowledges that trade-related political risk is mounting, so it will be a benefi t to Canadas seed sector to have Seeds Canada around the CAFTA table, and vice-versa.President Trumps statements create a lot of political risk How Much Seedfor the seed industry, as they do for the entire agri-food sector, Moves Acrosshe says. By joining with us in CAFTA, you get the opportu-the Border? nity to work with a group that is focused 100% on these inter-$517 millionworthnational trade policy issues. It allows Seeds Canada to access a of Canadian seed wasgroup spending all of its time on trade, and that gets you to a exported to the Unitedlot of tables.Those tables include meetings with government officials, States in 2023/24opposition leaders, and key stakeholders in Canadas trade $511 millionworthecosystem. CAFTA plays a crucial role in ensuring the voices of American seed wasof Canadian agriculture are heard, whether in Ottawa or in exported to Canada ininternational negotiations.2023/24Source: Seeds Canada A Climate of UncertaintyTrade tensions are nothing new, but the level of unpredictabil-ity has been escalating. While the Trump administration has been vocal about tariff s and renegotiations, Harvey notes that the shift away from international trade norms didnt start with Trump.Id take one step back and say that the last few U.S. administrations have not been easy for international trade issues, either, Harvey says. The Biden administration kept several Trump trade policies in place, and Barack Obamas Trans-Pacifi c Partnership plan was ultimately not ratifi ed by the U.S. Congress due to domestic opposition.This trend is what prompted CAFTA to refresh its strategic goals, adapting to a world where major economies are increas-ingly bypassing established trade rules. Chinas approach has long been a concern, but now the U.S. is also disengaging from multilateral agreements.What were seeing right now is the biggest countries are Nick Sekulic operates PrestvilleMichael Harvey has beenless committed to the system, Harvey explains. President Farms in Rycroft, Alta. executive director of theTrump can seem like an acceleration of that, though I always Canadian Agri-Food Traderemind people that theres a diff erence between tweeting and Alliance since July 2023. making decisions. His communication and negotiation style can be a challenge to adjust to.6 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA MARCH 2025'