SMU: Canada slaps tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminum, EVs

Canada announced a 25% tariff on imports of Chinese steel and aluminum, along with a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, according to media reports.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the remarks Monday following a meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday, an article in the AP said. This is in line with recent policy announcements by the U.S.

Pending a public review and comment period, the tariffs are slated to be implemented by October 15.

As previously reported, Canada’s steel and aluminum industries had called for tariff alignment with the U.S.

Earlier this month, Catherine Cobden, president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), and Jean Simard, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association of Canada (AAC), released a joint statement on August 8, taking aim at overcapacity in China flooding the Canadian market with cheap imports.

The two leaders called China’s overcapacity a “clear and present danger.” They urged the government to take action to “protect Canada from the real threat of unfair trade to our economic prosperity and to our trading relationships in North America.”

Charles Johnson, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association, applauded the plan, saying “In the United States alone, aluminum firms have invested more than $10 billion in new and expanded plants, including nearly $200 million just this year. Actions like those announced today by Canada will ensure that these investments are fruitful – creating jobs and capturing anticipated demand growth in the coming decades.

This story first appeared at Steel Market Update.