Canada acts to support its steel producers and workers

From: Department of Finance Canada

News release

June 27, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

Today, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced the implementation of new tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for steel mill products imported into Canada from non-free trade agreement (FTA) partners. The TRQs, set at 2.6 million tonnes, will result in a 50 per cent surtax being applied on steel imports above 2024 levels from non-FTA partners. The measure is effective June 27, 2025, and will be reviewed in 30 days.

This temporary trade measure will help stabilize the Canadian steel market by addressing the risk that steel originally destined for the United States is redirected to Canada. The combination of tariffs imposed by the U.S. on all steel imports and global overcapacity, caused by non-market practices, has led many exporters to seek new markets. This measure helps manage that pressure without disrupting supply for Canadian users.

This measure builds on Canada’s broader strategy to defend its workers and industries against unfair trade, including non-market policies and practices. This surtax would be additive to any existing surtaxes or anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures, as well as forthcoming tariff measures based on the country of “melt and pour” for steel.

The decision to impose these TRQs is based on the public consultations, held earlier this spring, on options to address risks to Canada’s steel industry. The quotas will be reviewed in 30 days from today to ensure their appropriateness and effectiveness in light of evolving market circumstances, including progress in the broader trading arrangement with the United States, and periodically thereafter. The reviews will be supported by the newly established industry-government steel task force, which met for the first time on June 26.

The government remains prepared to take additional steps as needed and will continue to review the appropriateness of its response, pending developments with U.S. tariffs. 

Quotes

“Our government has a mandate to build one Canadian economy—the strongest in the G7. That means standing up for our industries and workers and defending them from the harmful impacts of unjust U.S. tariffs.”

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne,
Minister of Finance and National Revenue

“The government remains steadfast in defending Canadian workers, businesses, and investments. I continue to consult the steel and aluminum industry on further measures to counter unfair trade practices and restore access to the U.S. market, in addition to finding ways to favour domestic producers in building major infrastructure projects.”

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly,
Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Quick facts

  • A TRQ is a trade measure that establishes a limit on the quantity of a product that may be imported duty-free or at a lower rate of duty, but places no limit on the amount of product that may be imported at a higher rate of duty.

  • The tariffs announced today will not apply to goods that are in transit to Canada on the day on which this measure comes into force.

  • This measure is part of the actions announced by the government on June 19, 2025, to support and protect Canada’s steel and aluminum workers and industries, including the adjustment of Canada’s existing counter-tariffs on steel and aluminium products on July 21, to levels consistent with progress that has been made in the broader trading arrangement with the U.S.

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Contacts

Media may contact:

Audrey Milette
Office of the Minister of Finance and National Revenue
audrey.milette@fin.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
mediare@fin.gc.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 1-833-712-2292
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

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2025-06-28