Canada lifts its retaliatory tariffs against United States

NEWS RELEASE
SAULT MP TERRY SHEEHAN
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When the United States imposed unjustified tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, the Government of Canada stood up for our country's steel and aluminum workers, industries, and communities – imposing reciprocal, dollar-for-dollar countermeasures against imports of steel, aluminum, and other products from the U.S., to encourage the full removal of the U.S. tariffs.

Canada stood firm and did not back down until this outcome was achieved on Friday, May 17, when the U.S. announced that it would eliminate tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum within two days. Canada also agreed to eliminate its countermeasures against the U.S.

Consequently, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced that effective yesterday, Canada is lifting its retaliatory countermeasures against the U.S.

Last Spring, with the uncertainty around potential U.S. imposed tariffs on steel, Prime Minister Trudeau visited Sault Ste. Marie to confirm Canada’s support for our steel workers and industry should the threat of steel tariffs be executed.

During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau and MP Terry Sheehan spoke with Algoma steelworkers outside Gate 2 as they arrived for work.

“I got to thank them for all the hard work they’ve done and reassure them we will continue to have their backs, through all these challenges, the Canadian government stands with them,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Government of Canada will continue to ensure that Canada's steel and aluminum industry and workers have the support they need to be competitive and to succeed, building on the more than $2 billion in program support already in place.

“When I was lobbying on behalf of our steel industry in Washington I heard from politicians, businesses, and various organizations that Canada’s counter tariffs were working.  My message to them was loud and clear: we will not remove our counter tariffs until the U.S. 232 tariffs are gone," said Terry Sheehan, M.P.

"This is why I am so pleased that today we are back to integrated free trade in the steel and aluminum industry. While Andrew Scheer and Doug Ford called on the federal government to give up and remove our countermeasures, we did what was right for Canadians.”

These recent actions taken by Canada and the U.S. will allow our closely linked economies to be more competitive around the world, creating good, well-paying jobs for our citizens, and improving our combined security.

"With these developments, Canadian and American businesses can now get back to what they do best: working together constructively and supporting good, well-paying middle-class jobs on both sides of the border. The removal of tariffs and countermeasures is a true win-win for everyone involved, and great news for Canadian and American workers, for our communities, and our economies," said Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance.

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