Remarks by the Prime Minister of Canada on steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by the United States
May 31, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today delivered the following remarks in response to the decision by the United States to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum:
Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for joining us.
Today we find ourselves the target of punitive tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, under pretext of a 232 national security provision.
Let me be clear: These tariffs are totally unacceptable.
For 150 years, Canada has been America’s most steadfast ally.
Canadians have served alongside Americans in two world wars and in Korea.
From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, we have fought and died together.
Canadian personnel are serving alongside Americans at this very moment. We are partners in NORAD, NATO, and around the world.
We came to America’s aid after 9/11 – as Americans have come to our aid in the past.
We are fighting together against Daesh in Northern Iraq.
The numbers are clear: The United States has a $2 billion US dollars surplus in steel trade with Canada – and Canada buys more American steel than any other country in the world, half of U.S. steel exports.
Canada is a secure supplier of aluminum and steel to the U.S. defence industry, putting aluminum in American planes and steel in American tanks.
That Canada could be considered a national security threat to the United States is inconceivable.
These tariffs will harm industry and workers on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, disrupting linked supply chains that have made North American steel and aluminum more competitive around the world.
Beyond that, these tariffs are an affront to the long-standing security partnership between Canada and the United States, and in particular, to the thousands of Canadians who have fought and died alongside American comrades-in-arms.
The ties of commerce, friendship and, in many cases, family between Americans and Canadians are undiminished – indeed, they have never been stronger.
The Government of Canada is confident that shared values, geography and common interests will ultimately overcome protectionism.
As we have consistently said, we will always protect Canadian workers and Canadian interests.
Minister Freeland is here to outline retaliatory measures. This morning, I called the Opposition leaders to notify them of our response.
In closing, I want to be very clear about one thing: Americans remain our partners, friends, and allies. This is not about the American people. We have to believe that at some point their common sense will prevail.
But we see no sign of that in this action today by the US administration.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Premier Wynne, Premier Couillard, and Premier Moe on Canada-U.S. trade issues
May 30, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke today with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, to discuss Canada-U.S. trade issues, including the upcoming decision by the United States on whether to impose tariffs on exports of Canadian steel and aluminum.
The Prime Minister underscored the strong collaboration between the Government of Canada and the three provinces on Canada-U.S. trade issues and thanked them for their ongoing cooperation. He noted the importance of the steel and aluminum sector, specifically in Hamilton, Sault Ste. Marie, the Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean region, and Regina.
They all agreed to continue to defend the Canadian steel and aluminum industry from unwarranted tariffs and to stand up for the best interests of all Canadian workers and businesses.
French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Canada
May 30, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today announced that Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will travel to Canada from June 6 to 9, 2018, for a working visit and to attend the 2018 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec.
During the visit, President Macron will meet with Prime Minister Trudeau to discuss ways to work even more closely together on global issues, including strengthening multilateralism, advancing progressive trade, and defending and promoting our shared democratic heritage. They will also exchange views on how to leverage opportunities created by the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is already creating economic growth and good, middle class jobs for people on both sides of the Atlantic.
Additionally, the two leaders will discuss how our two countries can work together to further promote gender equality, fight climate change, advance peace and security, and create economic growth that benefits everyone – themes that will be at the forefront of the 2018 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec.
President Macron will also meet with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard. On June 7, President Macron with travel to Charlevoix to participate in the G7 Leaders’ Summit.
Quote
“Canada and France are historic partners and longtime friends, who share a common language, history, and set of values. As G7 partners, we share a responsibility to ensure that everyone benefits from our global economy, and that we leave a healthier, more peaceful, and more secure world for our children and grandchildren. I look forward to working with President Macron to build on our exceptional relationship, and create more opportunities for the middle class on both sides of the Atlantic.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G7 and G20, a founding nation of the European Union (EU) and a leading partner in La Francophonie, France is a key ally for Canada on the international stage.
- France is Canada’s ninth-largest merchandise trading partner globally and fourth-largest export market in the EU, with Canadian merchandise exports to France of $3.4 billion, and total bilateral merchandise trade of $9.6 billion, in 2017.
- Canadian direct investments in France were valued at $8.0 billion at the end of 2017, and French direct investments in Canada were valued at $8.2 billion.
- Canada assumed the presidency of the G7 on January 1, 2018, and will host the G7 Leaders' Summit in the Charlevoix region of Quebec from June 8-9, 2018.
