The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney last month, urging his government to resolve the ongoing tariff issues between Canada and China, saying they are having a damaging effect on the local agriculture industry.
According to the Chamber, the current tariffs imposed by China directly affect Yorkton’s two canola crush plants, a new pea-protein facility under construction, and numerous hog operations in the area, noting that the longer the trade standoff continues, the more harm it will do to the local economy.
In the letter, the Chamber says it would like to see two main forms of action.
One is the launch of bilateral talks with Beijing as soon as possible, in order to suspend all reciprocal tariffs on electric vehicles, canola and pork, until a solution, consistent with the World Trade Organization can be reached.
The second, is to create an industry-government task force, including the Yorkton Chamber, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, to monitor negotiations, and recommend mitigation measures where needed.
Chamber Executive Director Juanita Polegi notes Yorkton Chamber officials are ready to meet with federal trade and agriculture teams, to further discuss local concerns.
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