Texas Tech University

How Will the Trucker Blockades Impact Canada-U.S. Agribusiness Trade? Here's the Answer.

Allen Ramsey

February 16, 2022

Sunghun Lim is an expert in agriculture and applied economics.

The blockade of the Ambassador Bridge at the Windsor-Detroit border as part of the freedom convoy protests could have a significant impact on agribusiness in the U.S.

Sunghum Lim
Sunghun Lim

The impact on trade between the U.S. and Canada and on the supply chain in both countries could be massive, slowing the largest bilateral trading partnership in the world. More than two-thirds of the $511 billion in goods shipped between the U.S. and Canada are transported by road. Canada ranks as the second-largest agricultural trade partner with the U.S. behind China.

An expert in agriculture and applied economics at Texas Tech University is available to explain how the blockade could impact agribusiness and farmers across the U.S.

Sunghun Lim is an assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. His research centers on the intersection between international trade, agricultural development, production and supply chains. His primary research focus is studying how agricultural global value chains and international trade affect national economic outcomes, such as structural transformation, employment, food security and international trade.

Expert

Sunghun Lim, assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics, (806) 834-3155 or sunghun.lim@ttu.edu

Talking points

Quotes

  • “It may appear that border blockades are purely a Canadian political issue, but since it constitutes a barrier to two-way trade between the U.S. and Canada, it has implications for both countries. The integrated global supply chain across both countries will be disrupted, especially for highly perishable agricultural products. Geographically, border blockades likely have a bigger impact on U.S. farming states with economies that are highly dependent on exporting to Canada, including North Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota and Montana.”

  • “Rising inflation in Canada and the U.S., triggered mostly by COVID-19 and climate change disruptions to supply chains, makes border blockades a major concern. If not addressed speedily, blockades will cause food prices to soar even higher given that the rise in general inflation is already expected to significantly impact food prices.”