The federal government is exploring ways to guard against foreign steel flooding the Canadian market after the U.S. restored 25 per cent tariffs on all sources of the metal. (The Logic)

Talking point: Ottawa launched a 30-day public consultation on possible trade measures for steel on Saturday—the day before the federal election began. Global steel overcapacity was expected to reach 573 million tonnes last year, with China’s annual steel production also far exceeding domestic demand. This has led to cheap steel being exported to other countries, including the U.S. and Canada. The Department of Finance said the U.S. tariffs could make that worse, so it is seeking views until April 21 on the potential harms and whether import measures or other trade policy tools could help. While more than 95 per cent of the steel products Canada exports to the U.S. were melted and poured in North America, the Canadian Steel Producers Association says 40 per cent of steel in Canada came from offshore.