In an era of increasing geopolitical tension and shifting trade policies, Canada’s seed industry is recognizing that staying engaged on international trade issues is no longer optional—it’s essential. Michael Harvey, executive director of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), sees the urgency firsthand.
“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.”
Harvey’s comments come as Seeds Canada has joined forces with CAFTA as a “Friend of CAFTA”, a coalition that represents the nation’s agricultural exporters. For an industry that has historically operated somewhat independently, this marks a significant shift—one prompted by growing global uncertainty, particularly in the United States.
With rumors of tariffs and changing trade policies coming from Washington, Seeds Canada’s decision to join CAFTA comes at a crucial time. Harvey acknowledges the shift, noting that trade-related political risk is mounting.
“President Trump’s statements create a lot of political risk for the seed industry, as they do for the entire agri-food sector,” he says. “By joining with us in CAFTA, you get the opportunity to work with a group that is focused 100% on these international trade policy issues. It allows Seeds Canada to access a group spending all of its time on trade, and that gets you to a lot of tables.”
Those tables include meetings with government officials, opposition leaders, and key stakeholders in Canada’s trade ecosystem. CAFTA plays a crucial role in ensuring the voices of Canadian agriculture are heard, whether in Ottawa or in international negotiations.
A Climate of Uncertainty
Trade tensions are nothing new, but the level of unpredictability has been escalating. While the Trump administration has been vocal about potential tariffs and renegotiations, Harvey notes that the shift away from international trade norms didn’t start with him.
“I’d take one step back and say that the last few U.S. administrations have not been easy for international trade issues either. Market access wasn’t a priority for the Biden administration. Before that, it was Trump. Before that, it was Obama, who really started ratcheting back U.S. interest in an international rules-based system.”
This trend is what prompted CAFTA to refresh its strategic goals, adapting to a world where major economies are increasingly bypassing established trade rules. China’s approach has long been a concern, but now the U.S. is also disengaging from multilateral agreements.
“What we’re seeing right now is the biggest countries are less committed to the system,” Harvey explains. “President Trump can seem like an acceleration of that, though I always remind people that there’s a difference between tweeting and making decisions. His communication and negotiation style can be a challenge to adjust to.”
Despite the rhetoric surrounding trade barriers and economic nationalism, Harvey is not convinced globalization is reversing.
“Globalization hasn’t really been turned back. If you look at the big technological advances—containers, cargo planes, digitalization—they’re all still there. It’s hard to imagine there being less international trade. But we are seeing a lot more political risk around the rules.”
