Navigating the Storm: How U.S. Trade Tariffs are Reshaping the Pet Food Industry

Trade Tariffs Set to Impact Pet Food Manufacturing Industry

April 10, 2025 - By Lisa Cleaver

President Donald Trump changed U.S. trade policy on April 2, 2025. His new tariffs hit imported goods. These tariffs challenge pet food makers. Companies that rely on ingredients and packaging from abroad now see higher costs. Smaller pet food brands feel this weight the most.

Tariff Landscape

The Trump administration set new rules. It imposed tariffs on many imports. Most tariffs pause for 90 days so both sides may talk. Yet China faces a sharp tariff of 145%. In contrast, imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union get a baseline tariff of 10%.

Pet food makers around the world depend on these supplies. The new tariffs tighten their profit margins. Some firms must raise prices for buyers to cover the cost.

Pet Industry's Response

Mike Bober, president and CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network, spoke up on April 10. He warned to stay alert as rates may change. At midnight on April 9, additional tariffs took effect. An extra 50% now adds to what China already faced. Bober spoke at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing that day. Several lawmakers also worry about agriculture with these shifts.

Bober said, “The points we raised about agriculture and products needing specific climates have been acknowledged. Lawmakers are busy to fix them.”

Uncertainty and Future Outlook

Bober noted some unclear details. The 10% tariff on some imports will stay, but other tariffs pause for now. The tariff on China now sits at 125%. Canada and Mexico face uncertainty since the new rules did not explain their status.

The pet food industry must watch these talks carefully. Many agencies, like APPA, PIDA, WPA, IndiePet, and PFI, join efforts to speak for the trade needs of makers. Trade agreements change, and the industry must adapt.

Conclusion

New trade rules bring challenges for pet food makers. Imported ingredients now cost more. Manufacturers must find ways to keep prices low while facing higher costs. As U.S. talks with trading partners continue, the industry remains alert to supply chain shifts.

For further updates on trade policy impacts affecting the pet food industry, stay tuned to Petfood Industry.

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