Local steelworkers and the steel industry are preparing for tariffs on Canadian-made steel being imported into the United States.
The Trump administration recently announced that the 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum would take effect on March 12 and is notwithstanding the possibility of a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods being imported into the United States.
Ivaco Rolling Mills in L’Orignal manufactures steel wire and billets, including for export to the United States. Ivaco is owned by American conglomerate, HEICO. Ivaco employees are members of the United Steelworkers Union (USW). Richard LeBlanc is the Area Coordinator for USW District 6. He said it is still too early to tell how or if the tariffs could impact Ivaco employees. He said steel manufacturers are still waiting for more information.
He said there would be meetings between the USW and Ivaco management about the tariff situation.
“We’re waiting for details, there’s so many variables,” LeBlanc said.
Tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum could reduce demand for the products in the United States because American customers will have to pay the tariff in addition to the price of the product. Reduced demand could lead to decreased production at Canadian steel mills and aluminum smelters.
