We have been expecting tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to go into effect on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Both steel and aluminum will be subject to 25% tariffs across the board. Unlike the tariffs that were placed on steel and aluminum in the 2018 timeframe, the announcements from the Trump administration so far have indicated that there will be no exemptions and no classification opportunities to reduce or otherwise avoid these tariffs. Further, the U.S. Department of Commerce has been instructed to also determine which derivatives of these raw materials should be included in the tariffs. The derivatives list is expected in the coming months.
On Tuesday, March 11, President Donald Trump also announced that in response to Canada imposing a 25% surcharge on certain energy exports to the U.S., the steel and aluminum tariffs will be increased another 25%, meaning as of Wednesday steel and aluminum imports from Canada could be subject to 50% tariffs.
The situation is fluid and there may yet be an agreement that pauses these tariffs, lowers them or otherwise affects the expected tariffs. If not, all steel and aluminum imports from Canada as of Wednesday will be subject to 50% tariffs.
