Ongoing trade dispute raises concerns for farmers, manufacturers
The ongoing dispute between Canada and the United States over tariffs has farmers and manufacturers worried about the threat of rising costs for steel and aluminum.
Canada has set July 1 as the date to start implementing countermeasures on imports of steel, aluminium and other U.S. products as a result of recent U.S. tariffs. Prince Albert Member of Parliament Randy Hoback has raised concerns in Ottawa over the tariffs and said he’s heard that some companies are already pricing 10 to 15 per cent higher for some products. He said the question isn’t whether tariffs will affect Canadian producers and consumers, but how wide-ranging the fallout will be.
“There’s a lot of things in flux, or a lot of insecurity and unknowns right now, so I think people are being very cautious,” Hoback said. “There is going to be price increases, there’s no question about it. It’s just what will it amount to, and it depends on the product that you’re buying and how much steel or aluminum is in that product.”
Hoback said the federal government has to stand up for Canada and make the U.S. understand there will be consequences over any new tariffs. But, he added, Canada’s plan to impose countermeasures means people here will be forced to pay more as well. He said other measures, such as scrapping the carbon tax and creating new tax incentives, could be more effective.