Media Release

Canadian Steel Has Endured One Year of Punitive U.S. Tariffs

OTTAWA, ON, June 4^th, 2026 - Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), released the following statement:

“Canada's steel industry has now weathered a full year of the United States' 50 per cent tariff on Canadian steel exports – a severe and unsustainable trade action imposed on Canada by the United States. 

For decades, Canadian steel has supplied the products needed to build American automobiles, bridges, pipelines, military equipment, and critical infrastructure. We have also been the United States’ largest steel export market. Yet despite our tried-and-true partnership, Canadian steel producers have faced punitive tariffs that have disrupted our supply chains, threatened our jobs and harmed our communities. 

The steel tariffs remain difficult to justify. The United States continues to need tens of millions of tonnes of imported steel to meet their own market needs. Canadian steel has been the largest steel supplier to the United States prior to the trade war and our shipments have now plummeted by 60% in 2025. 

Furthermore, Canada has adopted trade policy responses that protect our domestic market from unfair trade in primary and derivative steel products that take direct aim at global overcapacity from China. The Government of Canada has also adopted stringent melted and poured monitoring on all imports entering the country and significantly increased investments in border enforcement with a dedicated steel team. All of these actions support the domestic steel industry and align with the United States to build a strong Fortress North America.

As we mark this unfortunate milestone, it is time to put the tariff war behind us, remove the tariffs between us and work together to further strengthen North America.”