Steel and aluminum tariffs on Canadian product heading into the United States were lifted last week, which was welcome news to Evraz in Regina.

Foreign Affairs minister Chrystia Freeland was in Regina on Wednesday to meet with steel workers and talk about how there is still work to do when it comes to foreign trade, including a 12 and a half percent duty on large diameter steel pipe.

While there are still duties on large diameter steel welded pipe, Freeland says the 232 tariffs are different, as they were not business as usual.

“These were tariffs levied on a national security ground, a national security provision, and that is why we were so clear that we had to have a very strong and firm position. We had to say, the tariffs just have to be lifted.”

President and CEO of Evraz Conrad Winkler says while it’s still tough to compete, the company needs to show how their pipe is the safest and the best quality.

He also says excitement is high in the pipeline industry, with many clients looking forward to projects that will be easier to accomplish with the removal of tariffs. (CKRM)