‘Pulling the rug out:’ NAFTA talks worry Sask. farmers

Saskatchewan farmers are voicing their concerns about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ahead of next month’s negotiations.

They’re worried after the U.S. released their list of goals for the negotiations, which included better access to Canadian markets for American wheat and dairy products.

“There’s always somebody who’s pulling the rug out from under us it seems like,” Marty Falconer said.

Falconer produces grain crops in southern Saskatchewan, including wheat.

He said it felt like the markets were balancing out, and the negotiations have created uncertainty.

“We’ve had it pretty good for the last few years,” he said. “Hopefully they can straighten NAFTA out and we can keep rolling.”

Other farmers are worried about who will be at the negotiating table.

Chris Bryden, who farms near Nipawin, isn’t sure about President Trump.

“He’s definitely a wildcard,” Bryden said. “We’ll have to see how it all shakes out. Hopefully we have someone standing up for us.”