Please note: This situation continues to evolve, and the information provided on this page may change as new developments emerge.

In November 2024, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced proposed tariffs on Canada’s steel industry. Since that announcement, the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) has worked closely with our members, industry partners, and government officials to help navigate this evolving trade environment and advocate for measures that support Canadian steel fabricators and the wider steel construction industry.

The CISC has focused on:

  • Advocating for domestic procurement requirements on publicly funded construction projects that receive taxpayer funding, helping to advance the federal Buy Canadian policy.
  • Supporting the development of strategic trade measures that strengthen Canada’s domestic steel industry and enhance the competitiveness of Canadian steel fabricators.
  • Working with governments to secure meaningful support programs and policy measures for the steel construction sector.
  • Engaging with industry stakeholders to identify challenges, share information, and ensure a coordinated response to ongoing trade developments.

U.S. Tariffs Frequently Asked Questions 

Canada has increased its tariffs on USA primary and derivative steel products from 25 to 50% effective and has introduced new products across different sectors to the list. These measures are effective September 8, 2026. The full list of products and the tariff rates are available here.

Section 232 Tariffs

The President’s April 2, 2026 proclamation adjusted the Section 232 tariff calculations as such:

  • 50% tariff on steel, aluminum, and copper articles and certain steel and aluminum derivative articles: Articles made entirely or almost entirely of aluminum, steel, or copper are subject to a 50% tariff on their full customs value. These products are listed in Annex I-A of the proclamation
  • 25% tariff on steel and aluminum derivative articles and other copper articles: Derivative articles of steel and aluminum and copper articles which are not almost entirely aluminum, steel, or copper are subject to a 25% tariff on their full customs value. These products are listed in Annex I-B of the proclamation.
  • Reduced tariff rate for using U.S. melted and poured steel: Copper articles and derivative articles of steel and aluminum on the Annex I-A list and Annex I-B list made with U.S. steel, aluminum, and copper are subject to a 10% tariff instead of the 50% or 25% tariffs. The reduced rate applies to derivative articles for which: the steel content of the steel derivative article is composed of steel that was melted and poured in the United States; and the copper content of the copper article is composed of copper that was smelted and cast in the United States.

The latest formal Proclamation was issued in June 1, 2026 with changes including:

  • Permanently reducing for products manufactured abroad, the U.S.-origin steel, aluminum and copper content threshold from 95% to 85% by weight — products exceeding this threshold qualify for a reduced 10% tariff rate.

On August 24, 2026 the President indicated in a social media post that on January 1, 2027 that “Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50%.” Additional details are not available yet and this has not been formalized via a Presidential Proclamation or Executive Order. 

Section 338 Tariffs

Some goods are now subject to Section 338 tariffs (see Proclamation and Annex 1, Part A) of 50% as of September 15, 2026. These duties are in addition to duties imposed under S 232 for a total potential cumulative tariff of 100%.

Key derivative products covered under both tariffs include:

  • 7308.90.30 Iron or steel columns, pillars, posts, beams and girders, not in part of alloy steel
  • 7308.90.60 Iron or steel columns, pillars, posts, beams and girders
  • 7308.90.95 Iron or steel structures (excluding prefabricated structures) and parts of structures

Based on our initial analysis, if the primary steel used for fabrication was originally melted and poured in the U.S., these products may be subject to the lower 10% Section 232 tariff which would lead to a combined tariff of 60% (not 100%). 

On August 25th 2026, the Canadian federal government announced retaliatory counter-tariffs on over $27 billion in U.S. imports alongside more than $7 billion in support for Canadian workers, businesses, and manufacturers from targeted U.S. Section 338 duties.

Small businesses with $1 million in annual revenue will have access to $3 million in non-repayable loans and access to a $2M interest-free loan.

Through the BDC, small businesses will have access to between $250,000 – $500 million in supports through interest-free loans, which are non-repayable for the next 36 months.

Larger businesses will have access to a new stream of the Strategic Response Fund, into which the government has announced they will be putting $2 billion in funding to support tariff-impacted companies with shovel-ready projects.

The government announced new flexibilities to the $10 billion LETL facility to provide flexible liquidity to bridge large employers through this period, including increasing supports from 24 to 36 months, and increasing the maximum loan term from 10 years to 15 years.

Information on requesting remissions on U.S. tariffed products is available here and Information on requesting remissions of tariffs on steel derivatives goods is available here.

Claims for remission or refunds of duties paid can be made in accordance with the “How to Apply” section of the CBSA’s Customs Notice.  Please note that by using the appropriate authorization code on your customs declaration, duties can be waived at the time of the importation, rather than needing to be paid and reimbursed. 

Note: the special authorization code 25-0466M is to be entered to claim relief for goods referred to in Schedule 2 which includes wide flange beam (HS codes 7216.32 and 7216.33). The special authorization code 25-0466T01 is to be entered to claim relief for goods that are classified under a tariff classification number set out in column 1 in Schedule 6 which includes weathering steel wide flange (7228.70.00 and 7228.70.00.22). 

Additional resources:

The Government has confirmed that remissions implemented under the United States Surtax Remission Order will apply to the new tariff measures, in accordance with the terms of the Order.  For example, wide flange beam HS codes 7216.32 and 7216.33 were eligible for a remission of the 25% tariff and will now benefit from relief of the 50% tariff.

The new tariff measures will also be eligible for horizontal remission under the United States Surtax Remission Order covering the following goods/purposes until June 30, 2027:

    • All goods for use by identified public health, public safety and national security entities
    • Steel goods for use in auto and aerospace manufacturing

Note: The special authorization code 25-0466M is to be entered to claim relief for goods referred to in Schedule 2 which includes wide-flange beam (HS codes 7216.32 and 7216.33). The special authorization code 25-0466T01 is to be entered to claim relief for goods that are classified under a tariff classification number set out in column 1 of Schedule 6 which includes weathering steel wide-flange (7228.70.00 and 7228.70.00.22). 

The Canadian Government defines country of melt and pour (COM) as the original location where raw steel is first produced in a steel-making furnace in a liquid state and then poured into its first solid shape. The COM may be different from the country of origin. More information on COM is available here.

Please refer to this document prepared by our legal team for sample language.
Please note: this is not legal advice and members are encouraged to seek independent legal counsel.

Have more questions?
Please contact Rita Rahmati, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at rrahmati@cisc-icca.ca

Government Supports

Tariff Remissions

The Department of Finance is accepting applications for the remission of duties where goods cannot be reasonably sourced from within Canada or from non-U.S. alternatives.  A remission exempts a particular product from tariffs. In their applications, companies must provide documentation showing efforts to source alternatives. Supporting evidence such as supplier correspondence, market analysis, and procurement records strengthens the application.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Small businesses with $1 million in annual revenue will have access to $3 million in non-repayable loans and a $ 2 million interest-free loan through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. The cap on non-repayable contributions will increase from $1 million to $3 million and will now include support for demonstrated liquidity needs, in addition to existing support for pivot or capital investment plans. Available liquidity support will be up to $2 million.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is offering $500 million in low-interest loans to businesses directly affected by tariffs through the Pivot to Grow program. These loans are intended for companies that are experiencing supply chain disruption or customer loss due to the tariffs. Through the BDC, small businesses will have access to $250,000 – $5 million in support through interest-free loans, which are non-repayable for the next 36 months. Eligibility for BDC’s direct tariff-related support programs will be expanded by lowering annual revenue requirements for applicants to $1 million. This includes Pivot to Grow and targeted support programs for the steel sector.

Canada Strong Diversification Fund

Larger businesses will have access to a new stream of the Strategic Response Fund, into which the government has announced it will put $2 billion in funding to support tariff-impacted companies with shovel-ready projects.

Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) facility

The government announced new flexibilities to the $10 billion LETL facility to provide flexible liquidity to bridge large employers through this period, including increasing supports from 24 to 36 months, and increasing the maximum loan term from 10 years to 15 years.

Financial Assistance for Exporters

Export Development Canada (EDC) is deploying a $5 billion Trade Impact Program to help affected businesses identify new international markets, manage credit and currency risk, and secure working capital. The program is intended to support market diversification and preserve jobs in key export sectors, including steel. More details on this program will be rolled out in the coming months 

Employment Insurance Support

New EI provisions have been launched to assist workers in sectors directly impacted by the trade conflict. These measures provide greater flexibility for qualification and faster access to benefits. The federal government has acknowledged that steel and manufacturing workers may be particularly hard hit and has committed to ensuring timely support for our workers. Special measures have also been introduced under the EI Work-Sharing program to support businesses affected by the tariffs. Employers experiencing a decline in business activity attributable to the threat or potential realization of U.S. tariffs may be eligible for special support.

CISC Statements 

Useful Links

Last Updated August 28, 2026