The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) has issued an advisory to its members in anticipation of a 25% blanket tariff on all Canadian goods entering the U.S. expected to be enacted on April 2. The U.S. government has already enacted a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and metal imports, and the Canadian government has threatened reciprocal tariffs against approximately $30-billion worth of imported goods into Canada. The CTHS has provided detailed information on how the tariffs would apply to pure-bred breeding and racehorses crossing the border.
The CTHS explains that the tariffs would apply to pure-bred breeding and racehorses each time they cross the border, with different rules for mares for breeding and horses for sale and racing. The tariffs could have a significant impact on the breeding and racing industries in both countries, especially for Canadian-based breeders who sell a portion of their bloodstock in U.S. sales. There is currently a 21-day public comment period in Canada on the proposed countermeasures, with a deadline of March 25.
The CTHS encourages industry stakeholders to submit their input through the public comment period and request an exemption to the Canadian tariffs for purebred breeding and racing animals. In the U.S., Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, recommends that anyone with concerns about the tariffs should contact their local representatives to voice their opinions and potentially influence the decision-making process.
