Trade Cases
Canadian USW Urges Continued Safeguards Due to U.S Steel Tariffs
Written by Sandy Williams
January 16, 2019
With no end in sight for U.S.-imposed steel tariffs, United Steelworkers in Canada urge the federal government to keep safeguards in place to guard against foreign steel imports.
“Our members themselves are appearing this month before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) to make the case for extending safeguard measures beyond the original 200-day period that began in October,” said Ken Neumann, USW National Director for Canada.
“The need to extend the safeguards is compounded by the continuing unfair, U.S.-imposed, 25-percent tariffs on Canadian steel,” he said. “The Liberal government has so far failed in its efforts to end this attack on Canadian jobs in a critical industry.”
Neumann blamed Section 232 tariffs imposed in March by the United States for an “abnormal” increase in foreign steel imports into Canada.
“Of course, we must rigorously defend our steel industry from a glut of foreign steel made cheap because of labour, human rights and environmental exploitation,” said Neumann. “We need safeguards to ensure the stability of the steel market and to dampen the effects of Trump’s tariffs.
“Beyond that, a more permanent and rational approach to steel trade is what is needed most, starting with the integrated North American market and the removal of tariffs based on a bogus charge of Canada being a threat to U.S. national security.”
USW members from Algoma Steel Inc., Stelco, Ivaco, Tenaris, ArcelorMittal, Nova Tube, Evraz and AltaSteel are attending the CITT Ottawa hearings, which are scheduled to end on Jan. 24.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Trade Cases
Trump threatens 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico as soon as Feb. 1
President Donald Trump said on Monday evening that he was considering placing tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico. The president said the tariffs could go into effect as soon as Feb. 1. President Trump threatened the tariffs as he signed a raft of executive orders in front of reporters in the Oval […]
Leibowitz: Trump will act fast on tariffs and immigration – buckle up
The new president clearly likes tariffs, and he wants to use them to make the United States more competitive - especially in manufacturing and mining. I believe that this will not be effective. But tariffs are very likely to be announced among the early pronouncements.
Canacero disputes US allegations of Mexican steel export threat
Mexican steel trade association Canacero said steel exports from the Latin American country into the US do not pose a threat. And claims that Mexican steel exports have been the driver of US plant closures and layoffs are “unfounded,” the association said. “On the contrary, the US greatly benefits from steel trade flows and has […]
Coated steel trade case update: Postponements and new allegations
The steel industry may have to wait even longer for the initial duty determinations in the pending coated steel unfair trade investigations.
Price on Trade: Next six months will set course of trade for years to come
This may be the most consequential six months for trade policy in recent memory. The wait to see what form Trump's actions take is almost over.