U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum could be gone in weeks, ambassador says

February 22, 2019 – Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. is optimistic that a long-awaited end to Canada’s steel-and-aluminum tariff nightmare could be just weeks away.

But David MacNaughton is playing coy about the source of his newfound optimism.

Along with Transport Minister Marc Garneau, MacNaughton was taking part in a panel discussion yesterday about the prospects of the new U-S-Mexico-Canada Agreement when he abruptly declared that an end to U.S. tariffs on metals imported from Canada, could soon be at hand.

When asked later to elaborate on his reasoning, MacNaughton clarified the possible timeline, but refused to explain beyond the suggestion that the anti-tariff narrative driving Canada’s ongoing “charm offensive” in Washington and elsewhere is finally starting to sink in.

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He says the tariffs, and Canada’s retaliatory levies, are hurting Americans and there’s enough pressure building to find a resolution.

On Tuesday, MacNaughton was in Ottawa when he indicated that he’s hearing complaints from some U.S. quarters about the ongoing impact of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs.

News from © The Canadian Press Enterprises 2019