Canada bans aluminum and steel imports from Russia

OTTAWA: Canada on Friday announced an import ban on Russian aluminum and steel products in a bid to deny Moscow the revenue to fund its war in Ukraine.

According to the latest government data, imports in 2021 were worth nearly 250 million Canadian dollars (180 million US dollars).

The ban comes as a 200 percent tariff on Russian aluminum imports announced by the United States last month came into effect after the EU blocked Russian steel products last year.

“Canada and our partners have already imposed sanctions on Russia’s central bank and capped the price of Russian oil and gas,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

“And now we are ensuring that (President Vladimir) Putin cannot pay for his war by selling aluminum and steel in Canada, in coordination with actions taken by the United States today.”

The ban applies to unprocessed Russian aluminum, aluminum sheet, and finished products, including containers and other aluminum household items.

Also prohibited are all primary Russian steel products, including iron and mild steel, semi-finished and finished products such as pipes and tubes.

Most of Canada’s steel imports come from the United States, accounting for almost 45 percent of US steel exports, while nearly 90 percent of Canada’s aluminum production is shipped to its southern neighbor. –AFP