Canada has blocked imports from the largest U.S. pork processing facility operated by Smithfield Foods, the company said on Friday.
The suspension comes amid ongoing trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa, as U.S. tariffs continue to spark concerns over retaliatory measures affecting American agricultural exports.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the suspension is based on standard protocols rather than recent trade actions. Under Canada’s policy, three instances of noncompliance within six months trigger a temporary halt on imports. In this case, the issue reportedly concerns a limited number of offal shipments from the plant.
The USDA stated that it is working with Smithfield Foods to address the issues and develop a corrective action plan that will be presented to Canadian authorities. Once the plan is reviewed and accepted, the plant’s export eligibility may be reinstated. Meanwhile, Smithfield noted that its shares remained nearly flat on Friday.
The move restricts a key market for U.S. pork products. Last year, Canada ranked as the fifth-largest export market for U.S. pork, with shipments valued at approximately $850 million. U.S. pork also plays a significant role in Canadian retail and foodservice sectors, according to industry representatives.
In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump exempted goods from Canada and Mexico under a North American trade pact for a month from the 25% tariffs imposed earlier this week, signaling the volatile nature of the current trade environment.
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EU High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will travel to the US and Canada where she will address the United Nations Security Council in New York and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting organised by the Canadian presidency in Charlevoix, Québec.
Canada’s Liberal Party is set to elect a new leader on March 9, moving beyond Justin Trudeau’s decade in power. The race comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada fuel a wave of patriotism ahead of an expected election.
China has imposed tariffs on $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural products in response to Canada’s previous import duties. The new tariffs, effective March 20, target key exports like rapeseed oil, pork, and aquatic products.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji participates in a meeting with delegates from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq to discuss security cooperation and regional developments in Amman, Jordan, on March 9, 2025.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, will chair the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting hosted this year by Turkmenistan, in Ashgabat, on 4 March.
Heavy rainfall in northwestern Peru has caused a river to overflow, destroying infrastructure, flooding agricultural lands, and affecting at least 150 families in Tumbes province.
Two buses have collided in Barcelona today, Monday 3 March which has left 51 people injured, four of which are said to be critical.
The UK has lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities, underscoring its commitment to help Syrians rebuild their country and economy
TotalEnergies has started building Iraq’s largest solar power plant in Basra as part of a $27 billion energy deal. The 1,000MW project will boost renewable energy and reduce gas flaring.
The State Oil Fund of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOFAZ) will continue buying gold in 2025, aiming to increase its assets to 170 tonnes by April-May.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan has raised the key interest rate by 1.25 percentage points today, from 15.25% to 16.5%, according to the financial regulator.
Walgreens Boots Alliance is going private after Sycamore Partners sealed a $10 billion deal, ending nearly a century on public markets. Struggling with competition and changing consumer habits, Walgreens aims to reinvent itself away from the pressures of being publicly traded.
China has imposed tariffs on $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural products in response to Canada’s previous import duties. The new tariffs, effective March 20, target key exports like rapeseed oil, pork, and aquatic products.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji participates in a meeting with delegates from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq to discuss security cooperation and regional developments in Amman, Jordan, on March 9, 2025.
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