Canada: Bans steel and aluminum imports from Russia

In the ban on imports of aluminum and steel in Russia his government announced on Friday Canada in order to “eliminate or limit the revenues used to finance the illegal and barbaric invasion of Ukraine.”

Imports were worth nearly C$250 million (€170 million) in 2021according to the latest government data.

The ban was announced at the same time as a 200% increase in tariffs on aluminum imports from Russia announced last month by the US government.

It also follows the ban on steel imports into the EU, which was announced last year.

“Canada and our partners have already imposed sanctions on the Russian central bank and imposed limits on Russian oil and gas prices.”said the deputy prime minister of the Canadian government, Chrystia Freeland, according to a statement from her services.

“And now, we’re making sure (Russian President Vladimir) Putin can’t finance his war by selling aluminum and steel to Canada by coordinating our actions with the U.S.’s action today.”he added.

The ban applies to all Russian aluminum products, in raw form, in sheets, various processed products, as well as components of various kinds made of aluminum.

It is also imposed on all Russian steel products, semi-finished and finished items such as pipes. Most of Canada’s steel imports originate in the US – it accounts for about 45% of US exports – while almost 90% of Canadian aluminum production is destined for the country’s southern neighbour.