Canada bans import of aluminum and steel from Russia

(Patria) - Canada has banned the import of all Russian aluminum and steel products in a move that Ottawa said aims to deny Moscow the ability to finance its war against Ukraine,
Reuters reports.

“Ukraine can and must win this war. We continue to do everything we can to reduce or limit the revenue used to finance Putin’s illegal and barbaric invasion of Ukraine,” said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

The ban applies to both finished and unfinished products, and would affect the import of products such as aluminum sheets, aluminum containers, as well as steel pipes and tubes, according to the
statement.

Canada, along with its Western allies, has taken coordinated action against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Ottawa has imposed sanctions on more than 1,600 individuals and  entities for the invasion and supported Kyiv with over 5 billion Canadian dollars (3.6 billion dollars) in financial, military, and other assistance. 

“We are ensuring that Putin cannot pay for his war by selling aluminum and steel in Canada, in coordination with the action taken by the United States today,” Freeland said. 

Last month, the United States imposed a 200% tariff on Russian aluminum and related products, which took effect on Friday. Russian aluminum is produced by the company Rusal, which accounts for about 6% of global supply.

Canada imported 45 million Canadian dollars worth of aluminum and 213 million Canadian dollars worth of steel products from Russia in 2021.