Canada’s Department of Finance announced new relief measures on 24 October 2024, allowing Canadian importers of Chinese steel, aluminium products, and EVs to request remission of surtaxes under certain conditions for a limited time.
This follows after Canadian workers of the auto sector, steel and aluminium industries, and related critical manufacturing supply chains are threatened by unfair competition from Chinese producers, who benefit from China’s intentional, state-directed policy of overcapacity and oversupply, as well as its lack of rigorous labour and environmental standards.
The federal government has recently implemented a suite of tariffs on certain Chinese imports to level the playing field and protect Canada’s workers and businesses from China’s unfair trade policies.
These include:
- A 100% surtax on all Chinese-made EVs, effective 1 October 2024;
- A 25% surtax on imports of steel and aluminium products from China, effective 22 October 2024; and,
- Potential surtaxes on critical manufacturing sector products, particularly batteries and battery parts, semiconductors, solar panels, and critical minerals, which the government consulted on from 10 September 2024, to 10 October 2024.
Businesses in Canada seeking relief can apply to the Department of Finance by emailing remissions-remises@fin.gc.ca. Requests submitted by 8 November 2024 will be given priority processing.
