VICTORIA, B.C. – British Columbia premier John Horgan is voicing his support for an end to the steel and aluminum tariff dispute between Canada and the United States.
A deal was reached last week lifting the 25 per cent steel tariff and 10 per cent aluminum tariff imposed by the U.S. in May 2018 during North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations.
“This deal is good news for the thousands of people in B.C. whose jobs were affected by these tariffs. We heard from many B.C. companies that these tariffs gave them significant challenges on both sides of the border. I would like to thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Chrystia Freeland for their hard work in having these unfair tariffs lifted, and for listening to the concerns raised by our industry and stakeholders here in B.C. As well, the negotiation teams in Ottawa and Washington, D.C., should be commended and they have our thanks,” Horgan said.
Horgan also pointed to the threat to B.C. jobs posed by the American tariffs.
“Our government, the federal government, local mayors and councils have all stood together to protect the jobs affected by these tariffs,” Horgan said. “We will always take a strong stand against any measures that threaten the livelihoods of people in B.C. and will continue to work to defend their interests in disputes such as these.”
The lifting of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs for Canada and Mexico coincides with a trade war brewing between China and the U.S. involving tariffs over a much wider range of commodities and products.
The steel and aluminum tariffs were a hurdle to Canada and Mexico ratifying to U.S.-Canada-Mexico agreement, a revamped version of NAFTA. To date neither country has yet ratified the agreement.
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