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OTTAWA \u2014 Canada is taking steps to protect the steel and aluminum industries with new counter-tariffs and protectionist policies, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday.<\/p>\n
At a press conference, Carney pointed out that he and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to pursue a trade deal to end tariffs within the next 30 days.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn parallel, we must reinforce our strength at home and safeguard Canadian workers and businesses from the unjust U.S. tariffs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports in March, and hiked that rate to 50 per cent earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Canada responded with 25 per cent counter-tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum products in March.<\/p>\n
Carney said Thursday that on July 21, when the 30-day negotiation period has ended, those counter-tariffs will be adjusted \u201cto levels consistent with progress made in the broader trading agreement with the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ottawa is also introducing rules on June 30 that will limit federal procurement to using steel and aluminum from Canada and \u201creliable trading partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
The U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs apply to the entire world, not just Canada, which has led to concerns about dumping.<\/p>\n
Canada will establish new tariff rate quotas of 100 per cent of 2024 levels on imports of steel products from non-free trade agreement partners, the government said in a news release.<\/p>\n
Carney said new tariffs will be imposed in the coming weeks to protect Canadian industries from unfair trading practices and overcapacity.<\/p>\n
Carney also announced the creation of two separate task forces for steel and aluminum that will meet to monitor the situation and advise the government.<\/p>\n
The heads of the Canadian Steel Producers Association and the United Steelworkers visited Parliament Hill on Thursday to call for urgent action by the federal government.<\/p>\n
Industry Minister M\u00e9lanie Joly said the U.S. tariffs have left Canada\u2019s steel and aluminum industries in a state of emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that the Canadian steel and aluminum workers are very anxious and they want us to come up with a solution really, really quickly,\u201d she said Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 The Canadian Press<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n