US ends tariffs on Canadian solar panels

These US tariffs on solar products were imposed by the previous administration, under President Donald Trump, in 2018.

Canada and the United States have agreed to have the Americans end their tariffs on Canadian-made solar panels.

International Trade Minister Mary Ng said the agreement reflected the common will of both countries to fight climate change and develop the renewable energy industry.

Minister Ng attends a meeting of the Free Trade Commission in Vancouver. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Mexican Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier are also taking part in the meeting.

These U.S. tariffs on solar products were imposed by the previous administration, under President Donald Trump, in 2018. Since then, Canadian exports of solar products south of the border had fallen by 82%, according to Ottawa.

Last February, a dispute resolution panel determined that by keeping Canadian products under its purported protective measures, the United States was in violation of its obligations under the Canada-United States Agreement. United Mexico (CUSMA).

Mary Ng also announced that she would bring the softwood lumber issue back to the table during her head one-on-one with Ms. Tai.

The way forward is to find a solution with the United States, she said.

< p class="e-p">Both officials agree that this is an important issue, but the possible solutions to the problem are not very clear.

Katherine Tai reiterated her support for the industry. Our priority is to ensure that American lumber producers can compete on the same terms, she said. Subsidized lumber and dumping undermine their ability to compete fairly.