Summary
Trump’s fertilizer tariffs could shrink profit margins by over $9,000 for the average Missouri family farm—and that’s if he stops at 10%. Higher rates could gut rural incomes even more.
By Ricky Dana
Trump’s New Tax on Canadian Fertilizer
President Trump has put a 10% import tax on potash fertilizer coming in from Canada. That means anyone bringing it into the U.S. now has to pay more—costs that will land squarely on the backs of American farmers.
Why Missouri Depends on Canadian Potash
More than 80% of the potash we use in the U.S. comes from Canada, mostly from mines in Saskatchewan. Potash is one of the three main ingredients in fertilizer, and it’s a big part of what Missouri farmers spread across their fields before planting.
How Much Will This Cost Farmers?
Most Missouri farmers apply about 70 pounds of potash nutrients per acre. Because potash is sold as a salt mixture (called MOP), that works out to about 117 pounds of actual product per acre. With potash now selling at about $481 per ton, that’s around $28.12 per acre.
The new 10% tax will raise the cost by roughly $2.81 per acre. For a 300-acre farm, that’s an extra $843 just in fertilizer costs—money that has to come from somewhere.
And let’s be honest—farmers aren’t rolling in extra cash. Most are already operating on razor-thin margins. Any new cost, especially one caused by political games, puts more family farms at risk.
What Trump Isn’t Telling You About Tariffs
Trump has made it clear he plans to keep using tariffs—his favorite economic weapon—even against our closest allies like Canada. He calls them “negotiating tools,” but what he doesn’t say is this: Tariffs are just taxes, and Americans are the ones paying them.
When Trump says he’s punishing Canada, he’s actually punishing the American farmer. Prices go up here at home. And with his history of sudden tariff threats, the 10% tax could easily go higher without warning.
Looking Ahead
Every extra dollar spent on fertilizer cuts into what farmers take home at harvest. In tight years, even small price hikes can be the difference between profit and loss. Missouri farmers should watch these tariffs closely and make sure they’re budgeting for what’s coming—because it’s not Canada paying the bill. It’s us.
When you send me to Washington, D.C. in the 2026 midterms, I promise to stand up for Missouri and our rural communities—especially our farmers who feed America and the world. I’ll always fight to keep tariffs from punishing our families.
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