The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) released the following statement encouraging the Trump administration to refrain from implementing tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico:
“While the EMA supports the administration’s efforts to strengthen our border security and limit the flow of illegal drugs into the country, we continue to encourage the administration to refrain from using tariffs to help accomplish this goal,” said Chris Greissing, EMA president. “The unintended consequences this could have to our economy could be devastating. We encourage Canada, Mexico, and the United States to come together to address the drug and border issues and avoid the significant impacts a trade war would cause.”
“EMA member companies, like most in the manufacturing world, are heavily reliant on the open trade that exists throughout North America. The tariffs would cause prices to rise steeply across the economy.
“Estimates show that many companies would see an increase in costs in the tens of millions of dollars per year, if not worse. The tariffs, instead of strengthening the domestic mineral supply chain, would cause U.S. manufacturers to become more reliant on foreign sources, including from hostile nations.
“President Trump’s executive orders sought to be a first step to drastically reduce the reliance the nation has on sources from foreign nations, who in many cases are hostile to the interests of the United States.
“Canada is the largest source of U.S. mineral imports, accounting for $47 billion in 2023. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, ‘a 25% tariff on Canadian mineral imports could cost U.S. off-takers an additional $11.75 billion.’ Any retaliatory tariffs could cause Canadian manufacturers to source minerals outside the United States.
“EMA believes tariffs between the North American markets has the potential to jeopardize national security and severely weaken the domestic supply chain and economy overall.”
In response to the Trump administration’s imposition of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Mike Ireland, president and CEO of the Portland Cement Association, which represents America’s cement manufacturers, released the following statement:
“The U.S. cement industry would like to work with the administration to address federal laws and regulations that prevent American cement companies from increasing production, making it necessary for the U.S. to import some 20% of its total cement consumption annually – including from Canada and Mexico.
“U.S. cement manufacturers – who provide the materials for America’s vast infrastructure and will have an essential role in helping to manifest the President’s vision of improved border and energy security – believe the right tax, regulatory and permitting environment will lead to more investments in U.S. cement production.”
- Canada and Mexico account for 27% of U.S. cement imports and nearly 7% of U.S. cement consumption.
- The U.S. imported 5 million metric tons (MT) of cement from Canada and 2 MT from Mexico in 2023.
- Texas and Arizona each represents roughly 30% of Mexican imports’ port of entry followed by California and Florida (20% each), reflecting 5% of cement consumption in these states.
- Canadian imports enter through New York (28%), Washington (14%) and New England (11%) with the remaining 20% spread across Montana, North Dakota, and other Great Lakes states.
- Canadian imports may account for up to 36% of cement consumption in these combined states.