HRAI-Canada Communiqué on the Canadian Response to US Tariffs
On January 31st, HRAI urged the government to do its utmost to avoid tariffs between Canada and the United States, and if tariffs were placed on Canadian goods, to seek an exemption for the HVACR industry. This exemption would be based on our industry's essential role in keeping Canadians comfortable and healthy in indoor environments.
This position was informed by surveys of HRAI members, discussions with groups and individual members, and consultation with HRAI's governance structure.
More information on HRAI’s position is available in the HRAI newsletter article posted online here.
On March 4th, in response to the US Trump administration's announced tariffs on Canadian products imported into the United States, Canada provided the first part of its response — a list of $30B in US imported goods that would be subject to a 25% tariff. That first list, as requested by HRAI, excluded many HVACR industry products. Click here.
Later that month, the government provided notice for the second part of its response, another $125B in retaliatory tariffs, effective April 2nd, in response to US tariffs expected for all imported Canadian products. Click here.
On March 12th, the government announced additional, separate retaliatory tariffs responding to US tariffs on Canadian steel-and-aluminum products. Click here. Several HVACR products were included on this list.
Throughout this period, HRAI has been communicating regularly with members, through our In The Air Newsletter, the HRAI website, and webinars.
HRAI's membership includes the entire HVACR supply chain, and the impact on each part of our membership will be severe for all, but somewhat different. Our work has been guided by our mandate to represent the entire HVACR industry in Canada.
If you feel that your products will meet the criteria for remission (relief) on Canadian tariffs, please contact HRAI staff, or write to tariffs@hrai.ca.
HRAI will collect information and will consult with HRAI member producers. While remission requests should be filed individually, Finance Canada and other Departments are open to hearing from associations on behalf of a group of members for specific product categories. HRAI will also continue to assist and guide members through processes for seeking exemptions or relief.
