Montana farmers are facing economic challenges due to escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, including retaliatory tariffs on farm equipment and supplies. Steve Sheffels and Lee Dahlman, among other wheat farmers in north-central Montana, express concerns over rising costs and uncertainty caused by fluctuating tariffs and commodity prices. With Canada being Montana's largest trading partner for $1 billion in cross-border sales, the situation is particularly concerning as it disrupts longstanding business relationships and supply chains essential to agricultural production.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In September 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs and bans on Canadian imports as part of an escalating trade war between the two nations. The measures included a 50% tariff on goods like metal and paper products, representing about 0.6% of total U.S. imports from Canada, while lifting tariffs on items such as salt, cement, and toilet paper. Trump also banned Canadian alcoholic drinks, whey, molasses, furniture, and other products effective September 29. In retaliation for these actions, Canada imposed its own tariffs on about $20 billion worth of American goods in October. These moves have prompted China to court Canada more closely, with Prime Minister Mark Carney making state visits to China and India to diversify trade relations. The legal validity of Trump's tariff measures under Section 338 is being challenged based on the major questions doctrine, which limits executive overreach without clear statutory authorization.
Written for “US Tariff Policy Against Canada” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 10 other(s) covering the same event.
Geopolitics and grain don't mix, say these Montana farmers
asserted
farmers → mix → ?
The escalating trade fight between the Trump administration and Canada is just the latest headwind facing American farmers who were already dealing with soaring fuel and fertilizer prices.
asserted
who → escalate → prices
After President Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian products, earlier this month Ottawa imposed retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of U.S. goods, including farm equipment.
asserted
Ottawa → impose → equipment
"I'd like to consider buying a new drill and I'm also looking at grain bins that come out of Canada and I'm afraid I won't be able to afford them," says Steve Sheffels, a local wheat farmer.
asserted
Sheffels → like → them
He farms in what's known as the Golden Triangle, an area in north-central Montana that's one of the most productive wheat and barley growing regions in the U.S.
Touching three Canadian provinces, the economies and cultures of Montana and Canada are largely intertwined.
asserted
economies → farm → Montana
Canada is hands down the state's biggest trading partner, accounting for $1 billion in cross-border sales, according to the Montana World Trade Center at the University of Montana.
uncertain
Canada → account → Montana
"Canadian companies also purchase Montana cattle and they send them up to Canada where they're fed out, and when they're up there a lot of times they're eating Montana barley," says Brigitta Miranda-Freer, the center's executive director.
asserted
Freer → purchase → barley
Montana farmers had turned to Canada for select equipment and supplies due to the favorable exchange rates.
asserted
farmers → turn → rates
This is just the latest economic stress for grain farmers who have endured generally flat commodity prices since the 1970s and recent rising interest rates, as well as the second trade war spanning two Trump administrations that's threatened longtime business deals.
asserted
that → endure → deals
"Things are more volatile," says Lee Dahlman, a fourth-generation wheat farmer and cattle rancher near the tiny town of Dutton, Mont.
asserted
Dahlman → say → Dutton
"The uncertainty is what bothers me.
asserted
what → bother → me
But for Dahlman, all of this uncertainty underscores how farmers need to adapt and control what they can in order to be less susceptible to geopolitics.
asserted
farmers → underscore → geopolitics
"As long as you're smart and wise about it, you know, we don't have to buy out of Canada," he says.
asserted
he → know → Canada
Dahlman's lately been investing in soil-based probiotics he'll add during planting so he doesn't have to buy as much fertilizer.
asserted
he → invest → fertilizer
Where and when he can, he's also rotating in chickpeas and lentils, crops that naturally inject nitrates into the soils.
asserted
that → rotate → soils
Still, he hopes this latest tariff battle between the U.S. and its longtime neighbor and ally will end in a stable deal.
asserted
battle → hop → deal
Support for Trump complicates things
"I think I've got this administration figured out," Dahlman says.
asserted
Dahlman → complicate → things
"A lot of it comes out pretty harsh, pretty quick, pretty fast.
asserted
lot → come → it
But it usually softens as time goes."
asserted
time → soften → ?
Montana voted overwhelmingly for President Trump three times which makes the politics around tariffs complicated.
asserted
politics → vote → tariffs
"It's just sad that food has to be a bargaining chip," says Jillien Streit, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
asserted
Streit → have → Agriculture
Streit, who also runs a family farm with her husband near the Canadian border, has been pushing producers here to shift away from monocrops and explore more regional food markets closer to home.
asserted
who → run → home
"These tariffs are very trying at different times," Streit says.
asserted
Streit → say → times
"But there's also opportunity that comes with it."
asserted
that → be → it
Steve Sheffels, who is also president of the Montana Grain Growers Association, figures he's saved tens of thousands of dollars on inputs after investing in new equipment that uses computers to more selectively drop pesticides and fertilizer like liquid nitrogen on his fields.
asserted
that → figure → fields
But he doesn't mince words when it comes to the deteriorating relations between Washington D.C. and Ottawa.
asserted
it → mince → D.C.
"You don't treat your neighbors like this," Sheffels says.
asserted
Sheffels → treat → this
The Aporia
