Canada wants the U.S. to exclude it from the list of countries hit with solar import tariffs

In a series of statements by Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade — Canada has requested consultations with the U.S. to be excluded from the list of countries hit with tariffs on the import of solar cells and modules.

“Canada is a trusted partner of the U.S. with long-established cross-border supply chains that enhance North American competitiveness,” the Minister said in the statement. “Canada has requested consultations with the U.S. on its continued tariffs on solar products, as first steps in the CUSMA dispute settlement process.”

The U.S. had imposed Section 201 tariffs on imports from Canada in 2018.

Since its introduction, the tariffs have caused an 82 percent decrease in Canada’s solar products export to the U.S.

According to Ng, the tariffs are unwarranted and clearly violate the provisions and the spirit of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

With a new progressive President due to take office later this month, there is a greater chance these tariffs on imported solar cells and modules may be lifted within the first 100 days.