Hamilton, ON, August 29th, 2016 – The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Windsor–Essex and Sault Ste. Marie Chambers of Commerce to write a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urging the Government of Canada to address the issue of unfair trading practices by Chinese producers, oversupply and dumping in the world steel market and bilateral information sharing to improve trade remedies and arbitration.

Prime Minister Trudeau is expected to travel to China on August 30th for a five-day visit prior to the G20 Summit. In his first official visit, a potential free trade agreement between Canada and China is one of the key items on the agenda.

Further to this letter, the three Chambers are bringing this as a resolution to the Canadian Chamber AGM, September 17-19 in Regina, SK, to gain national support. The three chambers have engaged local steel producers, manufacturers, the Canadian Steel Producers Association, elected officials, their provincial and national chambers and many other organizations throughout this process.

The resolution states:

Support the Canadian Steel Industry and its Supply Chain Clusters

The Canadian steel industry is a cornerstone of our national economy. It constitutes not only the steel producers but also the role played by the product as an input and innovation tool for numerous manufacturing industries across the country. Recently, a combination of increased regulation, the instability of the global market economy and unfair market behavior by foreign competitors has led to a sharp decline in their ability of our steel industry to compete globally.

The Hamilton, Windsor-Essex and Sault Ste. Marie Chambers recommend that the federal government focus public policy and investment efforts toward the steel industry, its natural clusters and the innovation it creates. This includes addressing ongoing unfair trade practices by foreign nations.

“Canada’s existing legislative mechanisms against unfair market practices ultimately have limited leverage and impact for the steel industry,” said Keanin Loomis, President & CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “As a result, these upcoming trade talks with China can be crucial towards leveling the regulatory playing field and addressing dumping concerns,” added Loomis.

CLICK HERE to read the letter. CLICK HERE to read the draft policy submitted to the Canadian Chamber.

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For more information please contact:

Huzaifa Saeed | Policy & Research Analyst | Hamilton Chamber of Commerce | e: h.saeed@hamiltonchamber.ca

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