Essar Steel Algoma Challenging Rebar Duty Exemption

Essar Steel Algoma is asking for support from the City of Sault Ste Marie in challenging a request by the Independent Contractors and Business Association (ICBA) and the province of British Columbia for ‘regional exemption’ of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on rebar imports.

“Although we are not a rebar producer, it is our view that such an exemption would create a dangerous precedent, opening the potential for similar claims in the future from other regions and for other Canadian industrial products, such as hot and cold rolled sheet and plate,” said Essar Steel Algoma in an email to SMU. “It undermines Canada’s trade laws by actively encouraging unfair imports, favouring unfairly traded foreign products and workers over those in Canada. Such an exemption could bring economic harm to Canadian manufacturers, their suppliers and their employees across Canada, including here at home in Sault Ste. Marie.”