WASHINGTON, DC (WSAU) — Tariffs on Canadian aluminum have officially been removed through an act signed by President Trump this week.
The news was a welcome sign for Wisconsin’s domestic and craft beer industry, which brings in $9 billion per year and props up an estimated 62,000 jobs.
Representative Ron Kind released a statement on Thursday praising Trump for the move. “These tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports were misguided and harmful to Wisconsin’s storied beer industry, which is already facing significant challenges as the COVID-19 crisis continues,” said Kind. “I’m glad the Administration heard our concerns and removed tariffs on imports of Canadian aluminum. It’s critical that we work to protect access to open markets for Wisconsin businesses and manufacturers and keep supply chains unburdened to ensure our world-renowned beer industry can continue to succeed.”
Over half of US aluminum is imported from Canada. Over half of the beer produced in the US is packaged in aluminum cans or bottles.
According to Kind, the tariffs were set to be removed as part of the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA on July 1st, 2020. However, Trump announced he would be reinstating the tariffs in August, a move that drew criticism from Kind and others.
