Canada to hit Chinese steel and aluminum with 25% tariffs

Tariffs start on Oct. 22

Canada published a list of dozens of Chinese steel and aluminum products on which it will place a 25 per cent tariff, starting in three weeks.

The tariffs, which were announced in August alongside a 100 per cent levy on Chinese-made electric vehicles, bring Canada’s trade policy closer to that of its closest allies — and aims to shelter domestic producers from lower-cost products made in Asia’s largest economy.

“We are moving in lockstep with key international partners to protect Canadian workers and businesses in our steel and aluminum sectors from China’s intentional, state-directed policy of overcapacity and oversupply,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a news release.

The tariffs will apply to a long list of items including ingots, coils, wires, bars and rods. Goods that are already in transit on Oct. 22 will be exempt.

The government said it plans to review the measures within the next year, at which point they may be extended or “supplemented by additional measures.”

Canada, an economy that relies heavily on trade with the U.S., has been closely monitoring the Biden administration’s moves against Chinese EVs, batteries, solar cells, steel and other products.

Canada’s surtax on electric vehicles takes effect Tuesday and includes certain hybrid passenger automobiles, trucks, buses and delivery vans.

—With assistance from Brian Platt.

Bloomberg.com