Canada imposes tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminium, EVs

Canada has announced plans to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 25% duty on Chinese steel and aluminium and 100% on electric vehicles (EVs) made in China.

The Sign outside James Michael Flaherty Building is seen at 90 Elgin St. in Ottawa. It is a federal government Building that houses Finance Canada Image: JHVEPhoto via AdobeStock - stock.adobe.com

The Canadian government said that the was not only to protect Canada鈥檚 workers but also to prevent 鈥渢rade diversion鈥 resulting from recent actions taken by Canada鈥檚 trading partners. Both the US and Europe have recently introduced further tariffs on Chinese goods.

The surtax on electric vehicles will be 100% and applies to a variety of different road-going vehicles, including passenger EVs, plug-in hybrid passenger autos, hybrid and electric trucks, trucks powered by fuel cells, and hybrid and electric buses.

However, by the Canadian government did not appear to include off-highway construction equipment.

Separately, the government of Canada said it would launch a second 30-day consultation concerning other sectors 鈥渃ritical to Canada鈥檚 future prosperity鈥 including batteries, battery parts, semiconductors, solar products and critical minerals.

And it announced its intention to limit eligibility for the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV), the Incentives for Medium and Heavy Duty Zero Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV), and the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to products made in countries which have negotiated free trade agreements with Canada.

Canada鈥檚 deputy prime minister and minister of finance Chrystia Freeland said, 鈥淐anada is home to the talented workers, raw materials, clean electricity, and specialized production capabilities needed to build electric vehicles, and that is why our EV supply chain potential is ranked first in the world.

鈥淐anadian workers and critical sectors, including steel and aluminum, however, are facing an intentional, state-directed policy of overcapacity, undermining the Canada鈥檚 ability to compete in domestic and global markets. That is why our government is moving forward with decisive action to level the playing field, protect Canadian workers, and match measures taken by key trading partners.鈥

Could US tariffs on Chinese goods endanger adoption of electric construction equipment? When news emerged last month that the US government would be raising tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods, including electric vehicles and batteries, it wasn鈥檛 immediately obvious whether this would apply to construction equipment
US slaps increased tariffs on Chinese goods used in construction The US government has announced that it is raising tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods, including on materials and machinery used in the construction industry
CECE joins transatlantic call for end to EU/US steel tariffs Industry bodies rally as steel and aircraft dispute threatens to be renewed

STAY CONNECTED

Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Andy Brown Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786224 E-mail: [email protected]
Neil Gerrard Senior Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 7355 092 771 E-mail: [email protected]
Catrin Jones Deputy Editor, Editorial, UK 鈥 Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 791 2298 133 E-mail: [email protected]
Eleanor Shefford Brand Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786 236 E-mail: [email protected]
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA