TORONTO — The Canada-U.S. trade war is pushing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to retool the steel industry, shifting output from America’s auto sector to domestic rail, port and defense projects.
“We need to help them pivot, retool,” Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, told reporters in Toronto on Thursday, suggesting the government is willing to play a role in influencing the business models of Canadian steel companies. The type of steel developed in Canada is mainly for U.S. automakers, she said.
“They need to be able to make the type of steel that is really important for the defense industry. Maybe aerospace, or also the type of steel that is important for shipbuilding, for shipyards that are supporting our armed forces,” the minister said.
Joly made the comment alongside Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc in Toronto where the pair are attending a two-day Cabinet retreat ahead of the fall sitting.
