Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney was in Saskatchewan on Tuesday and discussed the negative impacts U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on aluminum and steel will have on the industry.
Canadian steelmakers rely heavily on the U.S. market, Premier Scott Moe has said he is concerned how the province will be impacted by the tariffs that are set to start March 12.
“The goal from Saskatchewan’s perspective and I think Canada and even North America is not to have tariffs imposed,” Moe said.
In 2024, 23 per cent of all steel imported into the United States came from Canada. All aluminum imports into the U.S. from Canada added up to 60 per cent.
Overall, Canada exports 94 per cent of its steel production into the U.S.
Carney said that it is imperative Canada fights back.
“Well let’s make no mistake, we are in a crisis not of our own making. We are being attacked by the United Stats. We have to respond to that,” Carney said while speaking in Regina.
Pro Metal Industries in Regina makes parts for equipment manufacturers that ship to the United States. The company’s president Mark Brown says a long list of Canadian businesses will suffer from the tariffs being levied on the country.
“There are a lot of Canadian businesses that will suffer with the tariffs, not only with direct tariff impact but just inflation in Canada in general, the cost of goods going up,” Brown said.
Regina-Qu ‘Appelle MP Andrew Scheer also believes Canada should hit back.
“Under Justin Trudeau Canada has become so dependent on the United States. Mark Carney and Trudeau’s approach to cancel big pipelines and leave oil and gas in the ground has made us even more dependent,” Scheer said.
For now, Canadian political leaders are focused on negotiation and lobby efforts as a way of forestalling tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that any retaliatory action Canada may take could make the situation even worse for the nation.
Trump signed off on the tariffs levied on aluminum and steel while on his way to the Super Bowl last Sunday.
With files from Drew Postey
