QuickQuotes: Industry reacts to U.S. tariffs and Canadian retaliation

The U.S. is making good on its threat to impose tariffs on Canadian-made steel and aluminum, prompting Canada is imposing dollar-for-dollar tariff “countermeasures” on up to $16.6 billion worth of U.S. imports.

Here’s a look at how Canadian industry is reacting to the escalation of trade tensions:

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“The overwhelming evidence is that Canadian steel and aluminum exports are not part of the problem that the U.S. administration is trying to address. Imposing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum risks harming the U.S. and Canadian economies and threatens thousands of jobs in both countries.” — Ken Neumann, director of the United Steelworkers Canada.

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“Make no mistake — this is a full on trade war. The U.S. has systematically come after Canada’s aerospace, softwood, paper and now steel and aluminum industries…Unifor fully supports the action taken by the federal government to fight back on behalf of Canadian workers.” — Jerry Dias, Unifor national president.

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“If you’re a bourbon fan, you might have an interest in getting out there early.” — Karl Littler, vice president of public affairs for the Retail Council of Canada

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“Our industry, like most in North America, has benefitted from the integrated North American Market that NAFTA has created…Major disruptions, such as will be brought by steel and aluminum tariffs, will have serious repercussions for our industry.” — Jean-Francois Lussier, chair of the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada.

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“This decision by the U.S. administration will have negative impacts on the North American integrated aluminium value chain….The consumers and companies that supply these consumers will suffer when prices go up as a result of these tariffs, ultimately undermining the competitiveness of the entire North American aluminum industry.” — Jean Simard, president and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada.

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“There’s going to be a significant disruption in long established supply chains…There will be a cost-driven restriction or implication to doing business in that way which is not to the benefit frankly of industry on either side of the border.” — Joseph Galimberti, president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association.

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