'Disappointing news': Horgan criticizes US tariffs on Canadian aluminum

BC Premier John Horgan criticized the US administration’s decision to slap 10% tariffs on imports of Canadian aluminum because the industry employs many British Columbians.

In a statement issued Thursday, Horgan said the aggressive tariff is “disappointing news” for him.

“Many people in BC earn their living in the aluminum industry. Canada’s exports of aluminum create good, family-supporting jobs and are important to the economy,” he said.

He added that Canadian-made aluminum doesn’t harm the US economy, and pointed to American business groups that also oppose the tariffs that will make Canadian aluminum more expensive in the US market.

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The metal is exempt from the USMCA trade agreement, which is why the US was able to impose the tariff.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland have said Canada will impose retaliatory measures because of the new tariffs.

“In response to the American tariffs announced today, Canada will impose countermeasures that will include dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs,” Trudeau tweeted. “We will always stand up for our aluminum workers.”

In response to the American tariffs announced today, Canada will impose countermeasures that will include dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs. We will always stand up for our aluminum workers. We did so in 2018 and we will stand up for them again now. https://t.co/gYH0ziOVM4

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 6, 2020