The U.S. Commerce Department has the discretion to reduce 50 per cent tariffs on some steel and aluminum products from Canada or Mexico—to as low as 25 per cent—for companies expanding their production of vehicles in the United States. (The Globe and Mail)

Talking point: President Donald Trump wrapped the potential relief into his Oct. 17 executive order that imposed a 25 per cent tariff on medium- and heavy-duty trucks. If granted, the reduced rate would apply only to the metals needed to boost production. Canada or Mexico must be the country of “melt and pour” for steel and “smelt and cast” for aluminum. The metals must also comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Last month, Linamar CEO Jim Jarrell told The Logic that while the USMCA had shielded the Ontario-based auto parts manufacturer from most tariffs, the list of steel and aluminum derivatives hit with duties was a growing concern.