WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is weighing reimposing tariffs on Canadian aluminum over concerns about rising exports to the United States, a move that would strain ties and possibly incite Canadian retaliation just as a revised North American trade deal goes into effect.
The tariffs would revive a bitter fight that complicated efforts to complete the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement, which goes into effect on July 1. To pave the way for that pact, the Trump administration agreed to drop tariffs it had imposed on aluminum and steel from Canada and Mexico but retained the right to reinstate levies if it observed a spike in metal imports.
Imports of raw Canadian aluminum into the United States have increased since that agreement was signed. But Matt Meenan of the Aluminum Association, which represents U.S. and foreign-based companies that make up the vast majority of the industry, said the uptick was consistent with historical trends and “not particularly surprising given market fundamentals.”
“We don’t think it warrants going back to the drawing board on all of this stuff — and certainly not a week before implementing U.S.M.C.A.,” Mr. Meenan said.
To view the original article, click here.