The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has launched a safeguard investigation into imports of frozen and canned vegetables, including corn, peas, beans, chickpeas, and mixed vegetables. The investigation, launched March 16, 2026, is expected to result in tariffs on these items imported into Canada and will move quickly. U.S. manufacturers of frozen and canned vegetables that export to Canada should consider participating by submitting evidence and argument. Interested parties must file participation forms by April 2, 2026, and responses to questionnaires are due on April 10, 2026.
Background on Safeguard Investigations
Safeguard investigations are trade remedy proceedings that restrict imports of specific products that have surged and are causing or threatening serious injury to a domestic industry. These actions provide temporary relief in the form of tariffs or quotas, allowing the domestic industry an opportunity to adjust to increased imports. While temporary, the resulting duties can last for years. Governments rely on market participants – both foreign and domestic – to determine the scope of the domestic industry, potential injury, and appropriate remedy.
The Investigation and Timeline of the Action Against Certain Vegetable Goods
The safeguard investigation was initiated on frozen and canned corn, peas, green beans, wax beans, mixes of peas and carrots, mixed vegetables, and white, black, red, or pinto beans and chickpeas, whether packaged for retail, foodservice, industrial, or other use. It does not cover fresh or dried vegetables, ready-to-eat meals, or entrées where vegetables are combined with grains, meats, pastas, or sauces such that vegetables are not the primary component, or vegetable goods substantially altered into purees, powders, juices, spreads, dips, or pastes. The decision may have significant implications for your business if you grow, process, export, or distribute these vegetable goods to Canada.
The CITT is assessing whether increased imports of covered merchandise are threatening or currently causing serious injury to producers of similar or competing products. The CITT will consider information such as the Canadian market for subject goods, domestic production of subject goods, and the current conditions in Canada caused by increased imports of subject goods.
Canada will investigate imports of this merchandise from all countries. However, the U.S. is the largest source of subject imports into Canada, and the notice specifically directs the CITT to determine whether U.S. imports contribute importantly to a serious injury, or the threat thereof, to the Canadian industry.
Interested parties include exporters, importers, and domestic manufacturers in Canada. The primary way to participate is by submitting a questionnaire. Questionnaires are due on April 10, 2026. Case briefs are due May 19, 2026, and the CITT will hold a hearing on June 15, 2026. The CITT will report to the Minister of Finance by September 9, 2026.
Our International Trade and National Security Team can assist with the preparation and filing of a response. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this in further detail, please contact P. Lee Smith, Matthew McGee, Georgia Berthelot, or any member of Baker Donelson's International Trade and National Security Team.