Algoma Steel, Tenaris meeting with feds to talk tariffs

Some important meetings with two major employers from Sault Ste. Marie were being held in Ottawa Thursday and Friday.

As co-chair of the all-party steel caucus, Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan met Thursday with Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and the union at steel pipemaker Tenaris and Martin Castro, the company's president.

They will discuss America’s 50-per-cent tariffs on steel and aluminum as part of the meetings with the Canadian Steel Producers Association.

Friday, Sheehan and Joly will have a similar discussion in Ottawa with representatives from the unions at Algoma Steel and Michael Garcia, the company’s CEO. 

Sheehan has helped facilitate Joly’s conversations with the various CEOs and unions.

In a statement issued the day before President Donald Trump introduced the 50-per-cent tariffs, a representative from Algoma Steel said they are “deeply concerned” with the increase in tariffs. 

“The Algoma team remains in close consultation with our customers and the government regarding the challenges this presents to our business,” said Laura Devoni, Algoma Steel’s director of human resources and corporate affairs.

“Algoma is advocating for swift government action to support Algoma and the Canadian Steel Industry during this volatile time.”

Sheehan said all options are on the table. 

“Canada is very nimble, very strong, very smart. We're exploring all options to maximize the pain on Americans and minimize any damage that could be done to Canadian businesses as a result of these actions.” 

Earlier this week, Joly told SooToday how the government could help companies like Algoma Steel and Tenaris. 

“We think it's now time for Canadian steel workers to be able to make sure their work, so basically Canadian steel, is in our major projects. 

“We think that by buying Canadian, it will help people in the Sault, at Algoma, and in the steel sector in general across the country.” 

Joly said the country will also invest “more than ever” in defence. 

“There is an opportunity to make sure that we buy Canadian steel as well as there will be more construction of ships and planes and cars and therefore different types of equipment that needs steel. 

She said Canada must “make sure that we equip our brave men and women and we protect our sovereignty, but meanwhile that we create jobs.” 

There will also be some discussion on counter tariffs and the dumping of foreign steel into Canada from countries like China.

"We are hopeful that the discussions with the government will make progress on the steps to defend our domestic market from imports at this challenging time," said Jessica Tett, communications manager at Tenaris.

SooToday has reached out to Algoma Steel for comment on this story.