Canada fights back US steel tariffs with innovation assistance

Canada is fighting back the US for imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum by encouraging Canadian companies to innovate. Part of the package of countermeasures to support Canadian industries amidst US tariffs imposed on July 1 is new funding for Canada's steel and aluminum sectors from the $1.2-billion Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) first announced in Budget 2017 and refocused in Budget 2018 to support larger projects of over $10 million. New funding of $250 million from the SIF was announced on June 29 for Canadian manufacturers and those in the steel and aluminum supply chain. The targeted assistance is for new equipment,  production and process technologies, and skills training. The aim of the funding support is to help Canadian companies strengthen their competitiveness by diversifying and better integrating their supply chains.