The United States is about half a million metric aluminum tons in British Columbia.
Monday, American president Donald Trump 25% prices imposed on all imports of steel and aluminum in the United States, including those in Canada and Mexico.
“To obtain an online foundry, he is five or six years old,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipalities in British Columbia, Ravi Kahlon.
“And which means that consumers in the United States will see a 25% increase in everything for the next four years. And it is therefore difficult to understand how this policy will help the Americans or anyone who does, you know, a fair trade with the United States ”
Kahlon, who spoke to Global News before Trump made the official announcement on the prices, said that despite what is happening, British Columbia is prepared.
“We have done a lot of work with the Prime Ministers. First first (David) Eby worked with ministers through the country on how we can work together to respond effectively, be targeted, be thought out on what we can present so that we can send a clear message that we do not ‘ Let’s not be intimidated here in British Columbia. »»
The aluminum foundry Rio Tinto Alcan in Kitimat, British Columbia, produces part of the lowest carbon footprint aluminum. It employs more than 1,500 people.
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According to the organization, aluminum is found in products such as jet engines, electric vehicles and mobile phones. Analysts predicted that the use of aluminum in cars and light trucks in North America will increase by around 30% from 177 kilograms per vehicle in 2015 to 227 kilograms in 2025.
“We worked with our partners, especially Rio Tinto and others from the moment the threats were even suggested,” said Kahlon.
“And so there is a lot of work behind the scenes. Some take some time, but our partners have planned to move our product to other jurisdictions. There are other places that want our resources, and especially with regard to aluminum. »»
Kahlon has added that they will find other markets for British Columbia products and although it can have a short-term impact, the government thinks that they will be able to open the interprorvincial trade and move products more easily.
It is not clear if British Columbia will respond by imposing prices in the United States, but Kahlon said that Canada was stronger when all the provinces work together.
“We know that the impact of steel in particular will have a big impact in Quebec and Ontario, and we want to be united,” he said.
“We are going to stay with Ontario and Quebec and other provinces because we have to stay together. And so the Prime Minister was clear on this subject and we will see where the conversations go.
Eby will be part of a trip to Washington, DC, which leaves on Tuesday to plead in the legislators on the effect that these prices could have on residents on both sides of the border.
Kahlon said that Eby had met Rio Tinto leaders previously and that they assured the Prime Minister that they could find other markets for their products.
“There is a demand in the world for this and in particular British Columbia,” said Kahlon
“We produce some of the lowest carbon products in the world and there is always a request for this. And so there was a high level of confidence of Rio Tinto, the team, which they could rotate towards other markets. And again, our product, which went to the United States, not entirely, but a lot of going to the United States, can find other markets fairly quickly. »»
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