President Donald Trump is poised to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, raising them from 25% to 50%. This decision aims to support U.S. industries, though it places a burden on Canada's trade sector. Canadian officials are seeking new markets and emphasizing domestic steel use in response.

U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to enact a significant increase in tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, which is expected to impact a central sector of Canada's economy. On Tuesday, he plans to sign an order that will double existing tariffs on these materials, raising them from 25 percent to 50 percent, effective Wednesday, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“He’s delivering on his promises to bolster our steel and aluminum industries in this country and to protect those jobs,” Leavitt affirmed. “The tariff agenda of this president, he believes very strongly in it. And as you have all seen, he is unafraid to use tariffs to protect our industries and protect our workers,” she added.

Amid these developments, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is currently in Washington, D.C., meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The discussion comes as Trump prepares to proceed with the tariff increase, which affects over 90 percent of Canada’s steel and aluminum exports to the United States.

Canadian government officials have not commented extensively on the proposed tariff increase, pending the formal signing of the order. However, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne indicated that Canada’s strategy will focus on exploring new markets and increasing domestic usage of Canadian steel.

“We need to use more Canadian steel, we need to have measures in place to favour that and that’s exactly the discussion I’m having with the industry and we’re going to be working on that, because you know, a strong and very prosperous steel industry in Canada is at the core of building Canada of the future,” Champagne stated.

In response to the proposed changes, Trump shared his confidence on social media, asserting that the steel and aluminum industries are experiencing a resurgence. “Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers,” he wrote.

Leavitt concluded, “He made that announcement in Pennsylvania and he plans to deliver on that promise to Pennsylvanians.”