Donald Trump takes office, announcing tariff plans for Canada and Mexico

Donald Trump takes office, announcing tariff plans for Canada and Mexico

The pet industry welcomes the new administration while awaiting further clarification on its trade policy plans.

Moments after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington on 20 January 2025, Donald Trump suggested that a 25% tariff plan on Mexico and Canada would be imposed starting in February.

During the presidential campaign, Trump already proposed a 20% tax on imports from all countries, a 25% tax on goods from Mexico and Canada and a punishing 60% levy on Chinese goods.

A new document published by the White House reveals that the new President has directed the Departments of Commerce and Treasury to investigate the causes of the “persistent” annual trade deficit in goods and recommended “appropriate measures,” including global supplemental tariffs.

A worry for the pet industry?

The industry has recently shown fear of a trade war with unknown consequences for growth.

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) expressed concern that the Trump administration would levy new tariffs on items not produced in the United States. “We would not be enthusiastic about tariffs on products that we don’t produce here because all that does is drive up the cost of production without doing anything to protect domestic industry,” states AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman.

According to Cullman, Trump’s tariff plans and retaliatory measures from other countries are a threat to pet food.

PFI welcomes the new president

The Pet Food Institute (PFI) congratulated President Trump and Vice President Vance on their inauguration.

“As a new Administration takes over in Washington, the Pet Food Institute looks forward to working with the Trump-Vance Administration and Congress to advance legislation, regulations and technologies that support domestic manufacture and the global distribution of safe, quality pet food and that provide for consumer choice,” says PFI’s President and CEO Dana Brooks.