Canadian Government Notices as of March 9

The government of Canada recently issued the following trade-related notices as of March 9 (some may also be given separate headlines):

• U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland gave an address March 8 in which she said Canadian counterparts met with the U.S. Commerce Department, members of the administration and U.S. legislators to discuss the economic impact the proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum would have on Canadian products. She said Canada secured an exemption from tariffs on steel and aluminum, and reiterated the strong trade relationship between the two countries.
• International merchandise trade for January 2018. Statistics Canada reports that Canada's merchandise trade deficit totaled $1.9 billion in January, narrowing from a $3.1 billion deficit in December. Imports decreased 4.3%, mainly due to lower imports of industrial machinery, equipment and parts. Exports fell 2.1%, primarily on fewer exports of passenger cars and light trucks.