Canadian Chamber Statement Regarding the 25% Steel and Aluminum Tariffs on Canada

Today’s news makes it clear that perpetual uncertainty is here to stay. Businesses and investors already feel on shaky ground with the 30-day tariff pause, and now our steel and aluminum industries — critical to the shared success of both the American and Canadian economies — are first into the fire.  

If President Trump wants to win for Americans, he shouldn’t be taxing the steel and aluminum that the American defence, manufacturing, aerospace and energy industries rely on. The only thing that’s “America First” about these self-defeating tariffs is who pays first. 

Moving forward with 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum is wrong on many levels, and we’ve already seen how this plays out — analysis by experts in the United States shows that the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed in the first Trump administration have raised costs for American manufacturers and prices for consumers. Instead, by removing tariffs from these industries, the United States could finally benefit from the expected job growth and GDP increase that would come with less trade barriers.  

Today’s tariff announcement should galvanize Canada’s political parties to reconvene Parliament and focus on what’s within our control. Let’s stand together by our steel and aluminum industry and address the critical roadblocks that have left all Canadian industries too dependent on trade with the United States.  

America relies on what Canada has to offer — not just for our steel and aluminum, but our energy, our agriculture and everything in between. The threat of tariffs has brought Canadians together around a common cause: but we must remember that both countries do better when we work together. 

• Candace Laing, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce — The Future of Business Success 

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most activated business network — representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 business of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy and from every part of the country — working to create the conditions for our collective success. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. From working with government on economy-friendly policy to providing services that inform commerce and enable trade, we give each of our members more of what they need to succeed: insight into markets, competitors and trends, influence over the decisions and policies that drive business success, and impact on business and economic performance.   

Media Contact

Shane Mackenzie
Vice President, Media and Stakeholder Communications
613.302.7683
smackenzie@chamber.ca