Small cheesemakers on both sides of the United States-Canada border say the tariff dispute between the two countries has cut off the cross-border trade they spent years building. A report published on 11 November 2026 describes producers in Vermont and Quebec losing customers and stopping exports.

Vermont sales fall to zero

In Greensboro, Vermont, Mateo Kehler co-founded Jasper Hill Farm with his brother Andy. According to USA Today, Kehler worked for a decade to build contacts and sell his artisan cheeses in Canada, and had been exporting there since 2024. He was looking to expand when President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of Canadian products, including cheese.

Canada retaliated with tariffs on US-made cheese and hundreds of other American goods. Kehler said his sales in Canada went "from gangbusters to zero" right away, and his distributor cancelled a $25,000 order. International orders had historically made up roughly 8% of his sales.

Quebec producer stops exporting south

Two hours north, in Sainte-Elizabeth-de-Warwick in Quebec, Jean Morin produces cheese at Fromagerie du Presbytere, in a former Catholic church he bought for one Canadian dollar. USA Today reports that exports to the United States were just 2% of his sales, about $100,000 a year, but he stopped exporting there because the tariffs made it too expensive.

Trump followed in July with a new round of 50% tariffs on $20 billion in Canadian goods, including cheese. Trump announced on 1 November that he was close to a deal to end the dispute, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said more work needs to be done. "We're not quite there," Carney said, according to Money.ca, which reports tariffs on both sides will stay until a deal is agreed.