Starting June 23, the U.S. Department of Commerce will slap additional tariffs on a range of steel-based household appliances, from dishwashers and washing machines to refrigerators. This move comes as the U.S. doubles existing steel and aluminum duties, catching Canadian manufacturers and U.S. consumers in the crossfire.
In a recent TV interview, Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's Minister of Canada-U.S. Trade Affairs, warned that these measures have injected “tremendous uncertainty” into the market. He argued that the tariffs threaten to devastate Canadian steel, auto and appliance sectors—and will also backfire on the American economy by driving up costs for U.S. businesses and households.
Canada, the U.S.'s top steel supplier, is among the few trading partners that have launched significant countermeasures. Yet these defensive steps also carry domestic costs, squeezing consumers and producers alike. LeBlanc remains hopeful that economic reality will force Washington to reconsider: “These tariffs should never have been imposed.” He added that Canada's foundational trust in the U.S. as a reliable economic partner has been deeply shaken.
If no deal emerges soon, Canada is prepared to retaliate further against the doubled steel and aluminum duties. While Ottawa still values close cooperation with its southern neighbor, LeBlanc made it clear that any progress hinges on the immediate rollback of tariff sanctions targeting Canada's automobile, steel and aluminum industries.
As trade tensions escalate, industry watchers will be looking for signs of compromise in the weeks ahead. For Canadian exporters and U.S. manufacturers alike, the stakes are high: a resolution could stabilize supply chains and ease price pressures, while a prolonged dispute risks inflating costs on both sides of the border.
Reference(s):
Canadian official: Tariffs hurt Canadian industry and U.S. economy
cgtn.com
