As soon as the Canadian Government declared a total ban on Russian aluminium, with an immediate effect on March 10, it received support from the Aluminum Association of Canada (AAC). Jean Simard, President and CEO of the AAC, said: "This ban by the Canadian government closes the door on imports from Russia."
He added, "Our industry joins the rest of the free world in condemning in the strongest terms the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We support the use of economic sanctions and other measures as a diplomatic tool to combat Russian aggression and applaud the determination of the Government of Canada and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to work with allies to achieve this."
On March 3, 2022, Canada levied tariff measures consistent with the removal of Most Favoured Nation status for Russia, and since then, the country's aluminium imports from Russia have been on hold.
A year later, on March 10, 2023, the Government of Canada totally prohibited Russian aluminium imports as a move to deny Russia's ability to fund the Russia-Ukraine geopolitical crisis. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stated that Canada would do everything to cut off or limit the Russian revenue used to fund the crisis.
The ban covers both finished and unfinished aluminium products, but it will most likely impact aluminium sheets and containers.
However, the AAC has assured the Canadian Government to assist with relevant industry data and an informed assessment of what sanctions and similar measures will favour domestic aluminium producers, end users and consumers.
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