Canadian farmers—and Canadians in general—have been lucky, thanks in part to a supply management system for eggs, poultry, and dairy that was put in place more than half a century ago. In June, a new law protecting supply management received royal assent, but experts told the CBC that the legislation might not save the system, which is seen as the “No. 1 trade irritant” by US president Donald Trump, who zeroed in on dairy when he paused trade talks with Canada in late June.
As the Trump administration upends the world order with a sweeping trade war, Canada may be edging into its own era of protectionism—a term that typically evokes disdain. But in a moment of international volatility and economic anxiety, the country’s tightly shielded system for staple industries feels more sacred than ever.
