Statement by Minister Ng regarding United States tariffs on Canadian solar products 

June 18, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada             

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, today issued the following statement regarding Canada’s request for a dispute settlement panel under Chapter 31 of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) with respect to the United States safeguard tariffs on solar products from Canada:

“As we build back better from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and urgently address climate change, Canada and the United States must be aligned and work together on the development of sustainable and equitable energy transitions and clean energy innovation.

“It is in this context that Canada has requested a dispute settlement panel to address the United States safeguard tariffs of 18% on Canadian solar products. These tariffs are unwarranted and damaging to the global competitiveness of our long-established, secure, and deeply integrated supply chains.

“Moving forward with Canada’s request for a dispute settlement panel on these tariffs will help ensure the timely resolution of this issue.”

“Canada and the United States share a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship, and our ongoing partnership will contribute to a strong, sustainable recovery, and benefit workers and businesses on both sides of the border.”

Quick facts

• Since the imposition of the United States safeguard tariffs in early 2018, exports of solar products from Canada to the United States have declined by as much as 82%.
• Canada requested consultations with the United States under Chapter 31 of CUSMA on December 22, 2020. Canada and the United States held consultations on January 28, 2021.
• Under the timeline provided under CUSMA, the dispute settlement panel would be expected to issue a report early 2022.

Related products

• Statement by Minister Ng on Canada’s request for CUSMA dispute settlement consultations with United States on Canadian solar products
• Minister Ng speaks with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai at Free Trade Commission meeting
• Minister Ng speaks with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai

Associated links

• Canada’s request for dispute settlement panel under Chapter 31 of CUSMA regarding solar products from Canada