Trudeau Warns US Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum Will Hurt American Jobs
(Based on reporting by Reuters)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday that if the U.S. imposes tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, it will cost American jobs and harm U.S. economic growth.
Speaking in Brussels, Trudeau reminded reporters that similar tariffs in 2018 led to the loss of 75,000 U.S. jobs.
Trudeau also warned that Canada will respond with countermeasures if the U.S. moves forward with the tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened not only tariffs on steel and aluminum but also a broader tax on all Canadian imports.
Canada is a major supplier of aluminum to the U.S., providing about half of the aluminum used in the country. In 2024, Canada exported 3.2 million tons of aluminum to the U.S., more than double the amount from the next nine countries combined.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault suggested Canada could consider export tariffs on products like aluminum, where the U.S. heavily relies on Canadian supplies.
Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who is in Washington for talks with U.S. officials, said Canada will wait to see what the U.S. decides before taking action. He added that both countries have a few weeks to work things out.
This situation highlights the close economic ties between the U.S. and Canada, as well as the potential consequences of trade disputes.
While Trump argues that tariffs will help struggling U.S. industries, Trudeau warns they could backfire, hurting American workers and growth.
(This summary is based on original reporting by Reuters.)