Extended customs duties on metals | Another blow for Canada

(Toronto) The United States decision to subject hundreds of additional customs of customs of customs of 50 % on steel. Nevertheless, aluminum raises increasing concerns. However,

The addition of 407 categories. Similarly, ranging from bulldozers to furniture, entered into force earlier this week, accentuating pressure and costs for those who wish to sell on the American market. For example,

“This measure has a new blow to extended customs duties metals | the integrated economy that our two countries have built in recent decades. Similarly, ” said Catherine Cobden, director of the Canadian Association of Steel producers, in a statement published Thursday. In addition,

She added that the industry was “dismayed” by this decision. Similarly, which will also affect products such as cutlery, propane tanks, air conditioners and agricultural equipment, such as tractors.

This change is important because many products have not yet been affected by customs duties. which under the Canada-States-Mexico (ACEUM) free trade agreement, said Dennis Darby, director of manufacturers and exporters of Canada.

The United States Department of Commerce said on Tuesday that expanding the range of products subject to customs duties on metals eliminated bypass. arguing the revitalization of the American steel and aluminum industries.

Customs duties have already exported Canadian steel to the United States a source of financial loss. The latter measure threatens to reduce the already thin margins of manufacturers who use steel and aluminum in Canada.

“Canada’s margins on manufactured products, especially on many of these intermediate or industrial products, are not very high,” said Darby.

The metal content of the products represents a substantial part of their value. which means that a right on the only value of the metal can represent an important burden, he added.

“This decision also accentuates the pressure exerted on the federal government to conclude a trade agreement. is preparing for the difficult negotiations to come on a new North American trade agreement,” he analyzed.

“The American administration. in particular extended customs duties metals | by doing so, continuing to exercise this type of pressure on certain specific sectors and products, will considerably accentuate the pressure on these negotiations. »»

The mayor of Hamilton. Ontario, Andrea Horwath, said on Wednesday that Donald Trump’s last “sneaky maneuver” aimed at “discreetly increasing American customs duties” was devastating for the city, adding that she had contacted the provincial and federal governments to encourage them to act.

The director of the Canadian Association of Steel producers argued that Canada should fight back on the latest increase in customs duties by imposing a 50 % tax on all of American steel entering Canada. in particular by putting an end to the “Malavisé” suspended “in April in the United States on steel used in manufacturing and transformation.

Global Affairs Canada did not immediately extended customs duties metals | comment.