Carney says supply management is “not up for negotiation” as the U.S. pushes to change dairy rules

December 18,2025

RED FM News Desk

Prime Minister Mark Carney has reiterated that Canada’s supply management system is non-negotiable, even as the United States signals it is prepared to challenge Canada’s dairy rules in trade talks.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told members of Congress that Washington is unwilling to renew the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) without resolving what it calls key structural issues, including concerns about Canada’s dairy market access and dairy exports.

In response, Carney said supply management “is not on the table,” stressing that his government remains committed to protecting the system — a stance he has consistently taken, including during the recent federal election campaign. He answered a question on the issue in French, a clear signal to Quebec, where supply management is strongly supported by the dairy industry.

Introduced in the 1970s, supply management is designed to stabilize prices and incomes by guaranteeing minimum prices for farmers. Greer, however, has argued that expanded access to Canada’s dairy market is essential for successful CUSMA negotiations, claiming Canada’s policies unfairly limit U.S. dairy products.