Good evening / bonjour,
(le français suit)
Tonight, the Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, issued the following statement on the decision by the United States to impose tariffs on certain aluminum products from Canada:
“The August 6th announcement by the United States to impose tariffs on certain Canadian aluminum products, citing national security concerns, is unwarranted and unacceptable.
“Canadian aluminum does not undermine US national security. Canadian aluminum strengthens US national security and has done so for decades through unparalleled cooperation between our two countries. Canada is a reliable supplier of aluminum for American value-added manufacturers. Aluminum trade between Canada and the US has long been mutually beneficial economically for both countries, making the North American aluminum industry as a whole more competitive around the world.
“In the time of a global pandemic and an economic crisis, the last thing Canadian and American workers need is new tariffs that will raise costs for manufacturers and consumers, impede the free flow of trade, and hurt provincial and state economies.
“Further, with the new NAFTA having come into force on July 1st, now is the time to advance North American economic competitiveness — not hinder it. Through robust, new rules of origin for automobiles, the new NAFTA ensures 70 per cent of the aluminum purchased by North American automakers is produced in North America.
“Canada’s innovative aluminum industry provides approximately 10,000 well-paying direct jobs in primary aluminum production and supports tens of thousands more in related downstream sectors. The Government of Canada will always stand up for our aluminum workers across the country. We did so when the US imposed aluminum tariffs in 2018 and we will stand up for them again now. I know we can once again count on a Team Canada approach as we confront these unjustified tariffs on Canadian aluminum.
“In response to the American tariffs, Canada intends to swiftly impose dollar-for-dollar countermeasures.”
THE TEAM:
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- Simon Beauchemin, Director of Policy – simon.beauchemin@international.gc.ca
- Ivana Spasovska, Senior Special Assistant, Regional Affairs and Stakeholder Relations (Ontario) – ivana.spasovska@international.gc.ca
- Ryan Nearing, Press Secretary and Regional Advisor (Atlantic) – ryan.nearing@international.gc.ca
- Zach Nixon, Special Assistant, Regional Affairs (Ontario) – Zachary.nixon@international.gc.ca
- Youmy Han, Special Assistant, Regional Affairs (West and North) – youmy.han@international.gc.ca
- Arevig Afarian, Special Assistant, Regional Affairs (Quebec) – arevig.afarian@international.gc.ca
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