US lifts taxes on Canadian aluminum, but wants to control volumes

The Hamilton Steel Plant, Ontario.

The United States has lifted its taxes on Canadian aluminum.

Geoff Robins / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

A dramatic change in trade between Canada and the United States.

The very day the Canadian government was to impose reprisals on the Americans who have overtaxed aluminum produced in Canada for a month, Washington is backing down.

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With our correspondent in Quebec

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Canadian aluminum can once again cross the border with little or no trouble.

Common sense has triumphed, said Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Finance Minister.

Two hours before it announced a series of retaliations against US-made aluminum products like golf clubs, doors or bicycles, the US administration changed its tune.

Volume control

No more surcharges on raw aluminum produced by Canada.

It must be said that this decision bristled many businesses, even in the country of Uncle Sam. Difficult to explain to its customers that local washing machines are more expensive, because of an American surcharge to penalize the Canadian aluminum.

However, everything does not suddenly return to order.

A sword of Damocles still hangs over aluminum producers who must limit their sales volume.

A threat rejected by the Canadian Minister for International Trade.

According to her, Canada has not made any agreement with the United States to restrict its aluminum exports.

►Also read: Return of US taxes on Canadian aluminum from this Sunday

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