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North Country Rep. Stefanik opposes new steel and aluminum tariffs

Posted 5/31/18

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, says she is against new tariffs on steel and aluminum announced today by the Trump administration. Tariffs of up to 25 percent will be imposed …

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North Country Rep. Stefanik opposes new steel and aluminum tariffs

Posted

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, says she is against new tariffs on steel and aluminum announced today by the Trump administration.

Tariffs of up to 25 percent will be imposed by the U.S. on steel and aluminum imports from its closest allies, including Canada.

The tariffs have been promoted in President Trump’s promises to protect American industry, but some allies and domestic businesses have responded with fierce opposition.

Stefanik, a member of the Northern Border Caucus, is speaking out against the move.

“I strongly oppose these tariffs on our nation’s closest economic partner, Canada,” said Stefanik. “If President Trump wants to target Chinese steel dumping, he should target tariffs at China and not at our friends to the North.”

She said joint ventures in Canada and the U.S. strengthen our position in global markets.

“The shared production of goods by the U.S. and Canada actually makes our goods more competitive in global markets against China and others."

Stefanik said she is concerned about the possible effects of then tariffs on businesses in the North Country’s 21st Congressional District.

“Imposing these tariffs will raise prices on businesses in our district that use steel and aluminum, and these costs will be passed on to consumers. Furthermore, as a Northern Border district, I am concerned that these tariffs could incentivize Canadian firms in our district to leave, or possibly incentivize Canada to impose harmful tariffs on our own products,” she said.

The congresswoman said thousands of manufacturing jobs in the North Country are directly tied to Canada and cross border supply chains, including more than 8,500 in the transportation equipment sector.

“I will continue to work in Congress to strengthen our relationship with Canada including in the ongoing renegotiations of NAFTA,” Stefanik said.

Canada has since announced retaliatory tariffs, CNBC reported in a story here.