Alberta Gets Off Lightly in Tariff Round — Beef, Oil and Most Food Exports Untouched

OPPORTUNITY · Export Alberta · Agri-Food

Roughly $1.5 billion of Alberta’s exports to the U.S. are expected to be affected by the new 50% tariffs — a fraction of the provincial total, and far lighter than the hit facing Ontario and Quebec manufacturers, economist Moshe Lander told CP24. “It’s not oil and gas… It’s not food, beef or cattle; those things continue to remain free from tariffs,” Lander said, noting Alberta and Saskatchewan “have gotten off very, very lightly.”

The exceptions are painful where they land: Alberta honey producers, who ship about $6 million a year to the U.S., now face the 50% duty, alongside alcoholic beverages and a handful of niche categories. Premier Danielle Smith urged both governments back to the table, calling the U.S. terms “untenable”.

What it means: If your category is exempt, this is a moment to say so loudly to U.S. buyers — certainty of supply and stable pricing are scarce commodities right now, and Alberta suppliers can offer both while competitors in tariffed categories and provinces cannot. If you are in a hit category, the diversification case just wrote itself.