The removal of tariffs on Canadian aluminum by the U.S. government is good news for the industry and the 10,000 who work to produce it in smelters across the country.
Canada’s International Trade Minister Mary Ng announced Tuesday the tariff would be dropped and along with any planned retaliatory measures from our government.
Ron Marcolin, divisional vice-president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, said it means prices won’t go up for businesses and the New Brunswick consumers they represent.
“Clearly this was a political move by Trump and once his U.S. team discovered the cost would be going up for the average American voter, he decided to backtrack on their threat of 10 per cent import duties on Canadian aluminum,” Marcolin said.
Marcolin said Canada supplies most of the aluminum needed by the U.S.
“The United States does not produce enough aluminum for their needs so they are forced to import. They import mostly from us because we are so close and they know we have a good quality product,” Marcolin said.
He noted this happened before during the Trump administration.
“You might remember we went through this dance in 2018 when steel and aluminum were taxed on both sides of the border. We were very surprised it came back and the only reason it did come was because it’s an election year for Trump and he is fighting for his life,” Marcolin said.
As of 2017, Canada’s aluminum exports amounted to $8.3 billion.
