Trump Administration Backs Down on Tariffs on Canada Aluminum, But Long-Term Problems Unfixed

In another high stakes trade matter today, the Trump administration decided to back down from plans to impose tariffs on Canadian aluminum. Just before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was set to announce retaliatory tariffs against the United States, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced the U.S. would drop the tariffs. CEI Senior Fellow Ryan Young praised Lighthizer’s decision:

“United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer did the right thing by dropping the planned reinstatement of aluminum tariffs against Canada. The tariffs violated the spirit, if not the letter, of the just-enacted USMCA trade agreement. The agreement and its predecessor exist in large part to avoid the sort of brinksmanship between allies we just witnessed.

“The administration may finally be learning that other countries retaliate against tariffs. Just in case the lesson has not yet sunk in, Congress should pass legislation taking back the tariff-making powers it granted to the President under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Taxing power properly belongs with Congress, and this administration has proven it will not use its power responsibly.​”