Ottawa, ON – Stephanie Kusie, Conservative Shadow Minister for International Trade, Eric Duncan, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Michael Guglielmin, Senior Advisor on Steel Policy and Chair of the Conservative Steel Caucus, released the following statement demanding the Prime Minister to stand up for Canadian exporters in the face of new European Union (EU) tariffs:
“Canadian exporters face the prospect of a new ‘carbon tariff’ as the EU begins to implement their Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): a threat to Canadian industry that the Liberals cannot ignore.
“The federal government itself assessed that CBAM could impact up to $2.8 billion in Canadian exports. Notably, steel and aluminum are not exempt: adding new stress on industries already struggling amid unjustified US tariffs and sluggish growth.
“Prime Minister Mark Carney has spent months talking up Canada’s relationship with the European Union. But to date, has failed to eliminate this threat to Canadian businesses, just as he has failed to secure full ratification of CETA or market access for Canadian pork and beef.
“When the Canada‑EU Summit concludes, will Canada have secured relief from CBAM? Or will we learn that the Prime Minister has made further concessions to the detriment of Canadian workers?
“Conservatives will always stand up for our proud steel and aluminum industries, and for a government that fights for them on the world stage.”