Carney targeting Chinese steel with higher tariffs to protect domestic industry

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced higher tariffs for steel coming from China in an attempt to prevent steel dumping amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war.

The prime minister toured Hamilton steel manufacturing company Walter’s Group Wednesday morning, and announced new measures to protect and strengthen the Canadian steel industry.

“We will also implement additional tariffs on steel imports from all non-U.S. countries containing steel melted and poured in China,” said Carney.

The new 25 per cent tariff will start at the end of the month, at a time when Carney says foreign competition and trade action from the U.S. are transforming the global market.

Carney says that Canada will be one of the countries most impacted by steel industry changes, due to our substantial steel exports, and open steel market.

He also announced that Canada will impose import quotas that will be based on how much steel was imported from each country in 2024.

Countries that do not already have a free-trade agreement with Canada will be impacted more heavily.

The prime minister also says that there will be no immediate changes to tariffs levied against the U.S. as the two countries work toward the Aug. 1 trade deal deadline.

Hamilton mayor Andrea Horwath said in a statement that Carney’s announcement is “welcome news for Hamilton – Canada’s steel capital and home to generations of proud, skilled steelworkers.”

A statement from The Office of the Mayor says that the federal government’s decision will help stabilize the local industry, protect good-paying jobs and secure Hamilton’s role in building the country’s future.

“Today’s investments in workforce training, production capacity, and procurement policy will not only help steelworkers weather global volatility – but they’ll also position Hamilton to lead in the next generation of steel innovation, including low-carbon and specialty steel products,” reads the statement.

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news, saying in a statement, “these actions are critical to curbing unfair trade practices and protecting Hamilton’s steel producers from harmful trade diversion and global market distortions.”

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