Canadian steel producers call on Ottawa to “recalibrate” trade relations with U.S.

The Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) is calling on the federal government to “recalibrate” its trade relationships with the U.S. now that Donald Trump’s 25 per cent steel, aluminum and auto tariffs have gone into effect.

The tariffs come after weeks of anxious hand-wringing for steelworkers and industry leaders, who have repeatedly said the levies will devastate Canada’s steel industry if left unchecked.

“These tariffs will be damaging on both sides of the border, disrupting supply chains, impacting investments and leading to job losses,” Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the CSPA, said in a statement.

In an interview with CHCH, Cobden said Ottawa needs to pivot away from trade with the U.S. and crack down on “unfair” foreign steel imports until the trade war can be resolved.

“We have to start looking for ways to become more independent, perhaps more resilient without that dependency on the [American] market,” she said.

“Very simply, it means we need more market in Canada. We already have a marketplace in our own country where 38 per cent of Canadian steel use is served by offshore steel. Much of that is unfair.”

Part of the CSPA’s goals is to see the federal government implement stricter border measures to address unfair steel trade. That way, Canadian steelmakers have a better chance of increasing their presence in the domestic market.

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