Trump's 50% tariff on Ontario goat cheese gave Mariposa Dairy six days' notice

Summary

Mariposa Dairy, founded in 1989 by Bruce and Sharon Vandenberg near Lindsay, Ontario, grew on a 16-year trade agreement and employs about 200 people. Roughly 80% of its production goes to the United States. In September, Washington added Canadian cheese to tariff lists, and collection of a 50% tariff began on September 15. Bruce Vandenberg counts six days of notice; the lawsuit counts seven.

Rather than cut production, Mariposa has kept buying milk from about 200 goat farms with roughly 50,000 goats, even as the tariff costs it about $1 million a week. Ontario farmers warn of culls, and the video notes the United States imports an estimated 30–35% of the goat cheese it eats. Some taxed cheese was made from New York State milk, and New Jersey importer Gellert Global Group faces around $40 million a year in duties.

A federal court must still decide whether the 30-day rule applies to products added to an existing order, and the Liberty Justice Center has sought a preliminary injunction. The case is not set to be heard until January. Canada and Ontario's $8.7 billion package was built around steel, autos and roads, while the video argues a herd called in December cannot be rebuilt quickly.

Key points

• Washington added Canadian cheese to tariff lists on September 8, with collection starting September 15.
• Mariposa Dairy in Lindsay, Ontario, is losing about $1 million a week under the 50% tariff.
• Section 338 calls for a 30-day wait before duties are collected, according to the importer's lawyers.
• 200 Ontario goat farms with roughly 50,000 goats depend on Mariposa Dairy.
• Gellert Global Group imported about $71M USD of Canadian cheese in 2025 and now faces around $40M a year in duties.
• Canada and Ontario announced about $8.7B in tariff support on October 21.

Questions answered