As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada, on a priority basis, intensify its discussions with the Government of the United States regarding the tariffs that are being applied on certain Canadian steel and aluminum products pursuant to section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The Government should seek an outcome in which bilateral trade in steel and aluminum products is not limited by tariffs, quotas or other trade restrictions. Until that time, the Government of Canada should continue to consult with Canadian stakeholders on potential actions and support measures that would increase protections for Canadian workers, firms and jobs.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada review the application processes for surtax remissions, as well as the duty drawback and duties relief programs, to ensure that they are user-friendly and timely. As well, the Government should undertake further efforts to share information with small and medium-sized enterprises about available supports, including the remissions of surtaxes that have been applied on certain U.S. products since 1 July 2018, duty drawbacks and duties relief in relation to those surtaxes.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada ensure that the measures that were announced on 29 June 2018 in response to the U.S. tariffs that are being applied on certain Canadian steel and aluminum products pursuant to section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 are available to more of Canada’s steel, aluminum and related firms, regardless of their size, and to affected workers.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada, when determining the actions to be taken regarding final steel safeguards, make efforts to balance the needs of Canada’s firms that produce steel products with the needs of domestic firms that use these products as production inputs.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada engage in ongoing discussions with the Government of the United States regarding the United States’ current and potential use of section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to apply tariffs on Canadian products. During those discussions, the Government should emphasize the scope, depth and strategic importance of the two countries’ trade relationship, and the need to exempt Canadian products from any U.S. trade restrictions.