Florida Construction News staff writer
President Donald Trump has signed executive orders imposing 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports starting March 4.
“This is the beginning of making America rich again,” Trump said as he signed the orders in the Oval Office on Monday.
The move reverses exemptions Canada and other countries had secured from Trump’s 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminum. It also increases aluminum tariffs to 25 per cent from 10 per cent, which was the initial rate under those earlier measures.
“We are deeply concerned that US President Donald Trump is again threatening more tariffs on Canada, this time directly targeting the steel and aluminum sectors,” Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association said in a statement on Monday. “When President Trump implemented tariffs on Canadian steel in 2018, we saw massive disruptions and harm on both sides of the border, hurting both America and Canada.
“The Canada – US economy is so highly integrated; with $20B in trade of steel between our two countries. 40% of Canada’s steel imports comes from the United States.”
Industry leaders are urging the Government of Canada to retaliate.
In a post on social media, Canada’s Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne called the tariffs “totally unjustified” and said there will be a strong response. “Canadian steel and aluminum support key U.S. industries, including defence, shipbuilding, energy and automotive,” Champagne wrote, adding that Ottawa is consulting international partners and will deliver a “clear and calibrated” response.
Just one week ago Trump paused proposed tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico until March 4, allowing time to address concerns about border security.
“If we make it in the United States, we don’t need it to be made in Canada,” he said.
Canada is the largest supplier of steel to the U.S., accounting for nearly 25 per cent of imports in 2023. Mexico supplied almost 15 per cent, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data.
Dave McCall, United Steel Workers International President, also criticized Trump’s decision, drawing parallels to a similar situation in 2018.
“Canada is not the problem, and these tariffs will only hurt workers on both sides of the border,” McCall said. “Instead of reckless trade wars, we need policies that strengthen manufacturing and protect good jobs in both countries.”
