You have to get used to the conifier din, a huge machine that stretches and refine the aluminum pipes which will become the lampposts of American and Canadian roads: the MC3 aluminum factory, in the eastern suburbs of Montreal, turns at full speed. And for good reason, it was necessary to accelerate production for the United States before the entry into force of new American customs duties. President Donald Trump, after threatening to impose a surcharge of 50 % on Canadian aluminum, finally returned, Tuesday, March 11 in the afternoon, to his initial threat, of 25 %, which comes into force on Wednesday March 12.
MC3 aluminum exports to the southern neighbor represent a quarter of its turnover: this price call is sufficient to make it falter. The disappearance of American customers creates a planned shortfall of $ 2 million Canadian dollars (1.3 million euros) for 2025.
“We are exhausted. We try to struggle to save the furniture,, says Robert Bélanger, CEO of the company. We are struck at two levels. The cost of raw material increased in the election of Trump [début novembre 2024]which had announced the color on customs duties during his campaign. And our aluminum, produced in Quebec, is transformed in the United States before returning home, so it is imposed on these prices. These aluminum tubes will cost us much more. »»
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