5.77°C Vancouver

Mar 13, 2025 3:14 PM - The Canadian Press

U.S. tariffs push Ottawa to invest more in Canadian steel, aluminum projects

Share On
u-s-tariffs-push-ottawa-to-invest-more-in-canadian-steel-aluminum-projects
Canada responded to Trump's steel and aluminum levies with 25 per cent tariffs on $29.8 billion worth of American goods, which took effect just after midnight Thursday.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Industry Minister Francois Philippe Champagne says he's telling his department to prioritize investments in projects that primarily use Canadian steel and aluminum — part of Ottawa's reply to the Trump administration's trade war.

Champagne says the move is in response to the "unfair and unjustified" 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum levied by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Canada responded to Trump's steel and aluminum levies with 25 per cent tariffs on $29.8 billion worth of American goods, which took effect just after midnight Thursday.

Champagne says Canadian steel and aluminum support vital U.S. industries, including defence and automotive manufacturing.

Since the trade war began, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has been calling for Canada to change its procurement rules to require that federal building projects use 100 per cent Canadian steel and aluminum.

Champagne is part of a Canadian delegation in Washington today to meet with Trump's commerce secretary to talk about the trade dispute.

Latest news

danielle-smith-defends-proposal-to-redraw-alberta-electoral-boundaries
AlbertaNov 03, 2026

Danielle Smith Defends Proposal to Redraw Alberta Electoral Boundaries

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has strongly defended a proposal to redraw the province’s electoral boundaries, which the Opposition NDP has described as fraudulent. A report released Monday proposes splitting Lethbridge’s two existing ridings into four. Under the proposal, one riding would be entirely urban, while the other three would combine parts of the city with neighbouring rural communities. Smith said such hybrid ridings are already an accepted practice and are working well in other parts of the province. “I think Lethbridge will be very well served by having four representatives,
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Final Arguments Conclude in $22M Pearson Airport Gold Heist Trial

Final arguments have been completed in the trial of former Air Canada employee Parmpal Sidhu, who is accused of being involved in the largest gold heist in Canadian history at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2023. The case is now in the hands of the judge, who is expected to deliver a verdict in late January 2027. Prosecutors argued in court that Sidhu played a key role in the alleged conspiracy by preparing fraudulent waybills to release more than $22 million worth of gold and currency. However, the defence lawyer rejected the allegations, arguing that Sidhu was framed by Simranpreet
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Visits China to Strengthen Agricultural Trade Ties

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, is currently visiting China, where he is meeting with Chinese government and industry officials to advance Canada’s agricultural trade interests. During the visit, MacDonald will attend the China International Import Expo, taking place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Notably, Canada has been named the Guest Country of Honour at this year’s event, providing an opportunity for Canadian businesses to expand their presence in the Chinese market and promote Canadian products. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and pr
trump-says-us-to-end-annual-military-aid-to-israel-after-2026
WorldNov 03, 2026

Trump Says US to End Annual Military Aid to Israel After 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end annual American military aid to Israel after this year, saying the country no longer needs the assistance. Trump said the United States currently provides Israel with $4 billion in military aid annually and that the two leaders had agreed several months ago to phase out the funding. He also accused some Democratic and left-wing leaders of using the issue of U.S. funding to criticize the Republican Party. However, Trump emphasized that the United States would still hel
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Crown Seeks 14-Year Prison Sentence for Winnipeg Truck Driver in $1M Cocaine Case

The Crown has requested a 14-year prison sentence for 36-year-old Winnipeg truck driver Harpreet Singh in connection with a cocaine seizure worth nearly $1 million at Ontario’s Ambassador Bridge in 2022. The sentencing request was made in a Windsor court. The incident dates back to August 1, 2022. At approximately 1:23 a.m., Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers stopped two truck drivers, Harpreet Singh and Narinder Singh, for inspection. The two drivers were transporting a shipment of hot tubs from Arizona to Hamilton under a job assigned by a Winnipeg-based transportation company.

Related News