Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning manufacturing, e.g. textile and apparel, chemical, electronics, wood and paper, metals, plastics and rubber, packaging, and machining. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Manufacturing? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Mining and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-07-27 to 2025-08-02

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Tribunal Initiates Expiry Review on Concrete Reinforcing Bar Imports from China, South Korea, and Türkiye

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has initiated an expiry review of its current order against dumping and subsidizing of concrete reinforcing bar from China, South Korea, and Türkiye. The agency will examine whether the lapse of tariffs is likely to lead to resumed or continued dumping or subsidization, and whether such actions would injure the Canadian domestic industry. The Canada Border Services Agency will make its determination by December 24, 2025, on the likelihood of resumed or continued dumping or subsidizing. If a positive determination is made, the Tribunal will assess by June 2, 2026 whether domestic injury is likely. The process is open to participation from any interested business or association filing Form I—Notice of Participation. The current order dates back to October 2020 and covers imports that have been subject to anti-dumping duties and tariff barriers. These reviews are a routine part of Canada's trade remedy enforcement and can influence market dynamics for the concrete and steel sector.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Finance Minister Holds Talks on Canadian Trade, Steel, and Internal Barriers

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne convened a virtual meeting with counterparts from provinces and territories to discuss trade and economic growth. The meeting addressed ongoing negotiations with the United States, with Champagne reaffirming the federal commitment to secure favorable terms. Domestic economic issues were discussed, notably recent support measures for the steel sector and legislation facilitating interprovincial trade and labor mobility under the One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5). Champagne called on provincial and municipal governments to reciprocate federal procurement amendments by favoring domestic suppliers where Canadian companies have reciprocal access. Progress in removing internal trade barriers was acknowledged, but officials agreed that further work is required. The government is presently engaged in extensive pre-budget consultations, with Budget 2025 to be tabled this fall.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Gazette: Tribunal Terminates Corrosion-Resistant Steel Sheet Dumping Inquiry

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has formally ended its inquiry into alleged dumping of corrosion-resistant flat-rolled steel sheet from Türkiye. The termination follows a decision by the Canada Border Services Agency, which found there was no evidence of dumping on April 17, 2025. This inquiry, initiated under the Special Import Measures Act, covered a range of corrosion-resistant steel sheet products intended for industrial applications. Products used in automotive and aeronautic manufacturing, or pre-coated, were excluded from the scope. The Tribunal’s decision brings clarity to importers and producers dealing with corrosion-resistant steel originating from Borçelik Çelik Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş. in Türkiye.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Canada Gazette: Federal Consultation on Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act Regulations

The Privy Council Office is soliciting public input to support regulation development under the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, which received Royal Assent on June 26, 2025, as part of Bill C-5. The Act aims to reduce federal-level regulatory burdens that affect interprovincial trade and labor mobility, notably for goods and services meeting comparable provincial or territorial requirements. Consultation topics include potential exceptions to regulatory harmonization, additional criteria for assessing regulatory comparability, and possible exclusions to protect health, safety, or international market access. Federal requirements relating to energy efficiency in appliances, food safety, and certain occupational licenses (such as locomotive engineers and land surveyors) are among those covered. The consultation period runs through August 22, 2025.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Minister Imposes Conditions on Import and Manufacture of Avermectin B1 under CEPA

The Minister of the Environment, acting under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, has set conditions on the import and manufacture of the substance Avermectin B1 (CAS 123997-26-2), which is suspected of being toxic. The compound is permitted strictly for use in the manufacture of export-destined drugs or approved veterinary pharmaceuticals. Provisions require waste containing the substance to be incinerated or disposed of in engineered hazardous waste landfills, and prohibit environmental releases. Recordkeeping and reporting requirements apply, with records to be held for a minimum of five years. These conditions apply as of July 21, 2025 and are intended to ensure traceability and environmental protection for manufacturers and importers.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

New Machinery and Equipment Price Index Data Released

Statistics Canada has published the Machinery and Equipment Price Index (2016=100) for May 2025. The index is a key reference point tracking changes in the prices paid by Canadian businesses for new machinery and equipment, relevant for sectors including manufacturing, construction, and utilities. Detailed data is available on the Statistics Canada platform.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Statistics Canada Reports a Slight Decline in Real GDP for May 2025

According to Statistics Canada, real gross domestic product dipped by 0.1% in May 2025. The monthly figure reflects developments across different industrial sectors and may affect manufacturing and related industries depending on underlying sector performance. The GDP data provide context for economic planning and performance monitoring.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatCan: July 2025 Freight Rail Services Price Index Now Available

Statistics Canada has made available the July 2025 figures for the Freight Rail Services Price Index, referenced to 2018=100. The index serves as a benchmark for tracking price changes in the freight rail services sector, an important cost factor for Canadian manufacturers and exporters.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatCan Releases Energy Statistics for May 2025, Citing Maintenance and Wildfire Impacts

Energy production for May 2025 showed contrasting trends, with primary energy production up by 2.2% and secondary energy production down by 8.2%. The changes are attributed to scheduled maintenance activities and ongoing wildfire disruptions across several provinces. These factors influence supply chain reliability and production costs for energy-intensive manufacturers.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

Trump Administration Imposes 50% Tariffs on Semi-Finished Copper Imports

President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 50% tariff on imports of semi-finished copper products and copper-intensive derivatives, effective August 1, 2025. Copper input materials and scrap are exempt. The Secretary of Commerce is instructed to establish a process for including additional products and to require a growing share of high-quality copper scrap and input materials to be sold domestically through 2029. The action is taken under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, following concerns that reliance on imported copper and a shrinking domestic refining base pose risks to defense and industrial supply chains. Implementation will involve phased domestic sales requirements and further agency review of copper import practices.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Extends Implementation Deadlines for Oil and Natural Gas Sector Emissions Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an interim final rule extending compliance deadlines for several requirements under its 2024 climate review rule for the oil and natural gas sector (40 CFR Part 60 Subparts OOOOb and OOOOc). The extensions affect timelines for control device requirements, equipment leak repairs, process controller transition to zero-emission standards, performance testing, and monitoring for storage vessels and control devices. The SuperEmitter Program implementation is deferred until January 2027, and the deadline for state emissions guideline plan submissions is also pushed to January 22, 2027. The move follows feedback on supply chain bottlenecks, equipment availability, and workability concerns, particularly for flares, leak detection, and emissions controls.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

USITC and Commerce Open Five-Year Reviews on PET Film, Solar Products, and Other Import Orders

The Department of Commerce has launched five-year (sunset) reviews of antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering crystalline silicon photovoltaic products, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, and others from China, India, Taiwan, Korea, and the UAE. The U.S. International Trade Commission is conducting parallel assessments to determine if ending these orders would likely result in renewed dumping or subsidies and material injury. Participation requires filing by the deadlines specified, and affected industries must submit notices and substantive responses as per Commerce and USITC processes.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

White House Moves to Suspend Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries

On July 30, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for all country origins under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C), effective August 29, 2025. The policy targets low-value imports, except for certain international postal shipments, and aims to address enforcement and circumvention risks connected to drug trafficking, trade deficits, and illicit trade. Shipping and carrier companies will be required to collect and remit duties for eligible shipments. The order builds on earlier measures targeting Canada, Mexico, and China.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Section 232 National Security Adjustments to Imports—Information Collection Announced

The Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, has released a request for public comment related to collections under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This follows February 2025 Presidential Proclamations requiring the Secretary of Commerce to create a review process for adding derivative steel and aluminum articles into the scope of Section 232 tariffs. The collection will cover applications by domestic producers or industry associations seeking tariff inclusion of additional products tied to national security. The process is voluntary; the expected burden for respondents is 16 hours per response. Comments are due by September 30, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

New Brunswick Supports Expansion of Local Door and Window Manufacturer

G.R. Thériault Ltd. in Grand Falls is expanding its production with a repayable provincial loan and federal funding through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The project will introduce an automated paint booth and create two new full-time jobs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Alberta Fines Industrial Insulation Firm Following Workplace Fatality

Pacific Rim Industrial Insulations Ltd. was fined $210,000 after a worker died in a 2023 fall at a Mildred Lake oil sands facility. The company pleaded guilty to failing to enforce proper fall protection.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Backs Training Initiatives in Thunder Bay’s Manufacturing and Related Sectors

The Ontario government is investing over $4 million in six training projects in the Thunder Bay area, with programs for electricians, construction craft workers, heavy equipment technicians, welding, and millwrights, targeting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Awards Research Equipment Grants to Support Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation

Thirty-five research labs at University of Calgary and University of Alberta are receiving over $8.4 million in Research Capacity Program Small Equipment Grants, supporting projects in advanced manufacturing, AI, health diagnostics, and quantum science.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Marks First LNG Canada Shipments to Asia

British Columbia celebrated the first shipments of LNG Canada to Asia, citing job creation and $40 billion in investment. The Kitimat facility is reported as one of the world’s lowest-emission LNG export plants.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Invites Input on Amendments to Canadian Feed Ingredients Table

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is seeking public comment until August 8 on amendments to the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table. This consultation pertains to changes in ingredient descriptions for products such as whey, calcium iodate, hydrolyzed chicken feather and blood meals, and various fermentation extracts.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: Share your thoughts: Proposed amended livestock feed ingredients – Miscellaneous changes to the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table - inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• NGen Leads $108M Investment in Sustainable Manufacturing Projects: NGen announces major funding support for several Canadian manufacturing innovation projects.
• Lincoln Tech Brings Advanced Manufacturing Training Back to Mahwah, NJ Campus: Lincoln Tech restores advanced manufacturing courses at its New Jersey location.
• Key Trends Reshaping Manufacturing in 2025 Amid Supply Chain Volatility Revealed in New Report from Info-Tech Research Group: Info-Tech Research Group releases findings on broad trends affecting the manufacturing industry.
• Mastering Warehouse Inventory Management: Strategies for Accuracy, Efficiency, and Growth: An overview of methods to improve accuracy and growth in warehouse management.
• Canada's homebuilding industry feeling strain of U.S. tariffs on costs, supply chain: Canadian builders report cost pressures tied to U.S. tariffs.
• SDavid Olive: Trump could spell the death of Canadian auto production. Here’s Plan B: Commentary on U.S. industrial policy and potential impacts for Canadian auto manufacturing.
• What Trump's environmental plan targeting key pollution rules means for carmakers: A report on proposed regulatory changes affecting automotive manufacturers.
• Ontario Launches Advisory Panel to Help Double Medical Nuclear Isotope Production by 2030: A provincial initiative to ramp up isotope production for medical and industrial use.

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