On May 31, 2018, the United States (U.S.) announced the imposition of tariffs on imports of certain steel and aluminum products from Canada (at the rates of 25% and 10%, respectively).

In response to these measures, Canada intends to impose surtaxes or similar trade-restrictive countermeasures against up to C$16.6 billion in imports of steel, aluminum, and other products from the U.S., representing the value of 2017 Canadian exports affected by the U.S. measures. The Government is also considering whether additional measures may be required.

On Tuesday April 3rd, President Donald Trump unveiled a list Tuesday of Chinese imports his administration aims to target as part of a crackdown on what the president deems unfair trade practices. The U.S. Trade Representative says the proposed tariffs target products that benefit China's industrial plans but minimize the affect on the U.S. economy.

The Trump administration's stance on tariffs sparked fears of a trade war with China, which imposed taxes on U.S. food products, robotics, information technology and steel and aluminum.

The next day, new Chinese tariffs on food and other products from the U.S. began, as retaliation against Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. China's new taxes will hit products such as pork and certain fruit and nuts coming from the U.S.

The great news for our industry  is that steel fixtures such as racks, merchandisers and wall hardware is not covered under the list of products that will carry a 25% tariff. Both retailers and fixture importers can now breathe a sigh of relief. Had the products been included on the list, a scramble to find new lower cost manufacturing capability may have ensued.