Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast from Friday, March 9, 2018 to Sunday, March 11, 2018

Today – Mainly cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. High plus 2.

Tonight – Mainly cloudy. 40 percent chance of flurries this evening. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light after midnight. Low minus 6.

Saturday, March 10 – A mix of sun and cloud. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 late in the morning. High plus 2.

Saturday night – Cloudy periods. Low minus 10.

Sunday, March 11 – A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 3.

Sunday night – Cloudy periods. Low minus 6.

Trump authorizes new tariffs, buts excludes Canada and Mexico

Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump, Friday, October 6, 2017. **(Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead)**

New United States tariffs on steel and aluminum are taking effect in 15 days.

However, Canada and Mexico will be exempted indefinitely as NAFTA talks continue.

“I have decided to adjust the imports of steel articles by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on steel articles, as defined below, imported from all countries except Canada and Mexico,” United States President Donald Trump stated on Thursday.

“In my judgment, this tariff is necessary and appropriate in light of the many factors I have considered, including the Secretary’s report, updated import and production numbers for 2017, the failure of countries to agree on measures to reduce global excess capacity, the continued high level of imports since the beginning of the year, and special circumstances that exist with respect to Canada and Mexico.”

Trumps said this relief will help the U.S. domestic steel industry to revive idled facilities, open closed mills, preserve necessary skills by hiring new steel workers.

“And maintain or increase production, which will reduce our Nation’s need to rely on foreign producers for steel and ensure that domestic producers can continue to supply all the steel necessary for critical industries and national defense. Trump said.

“Under current circumstances, this tariff is necessary and appropriate to address the threat that imports of steel articles pose to the national security.”

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs addresses on steel and aluminum

Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the following speech on Thursday:

“I’d like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.

I will make a statement before answering questions.

Since the U.S. Commerce Department began its section 232 investigation, the Government of Canada has engaged with members of the administration, U.S. legislators at the state and federal levels, and U.S. business and labour leaders to defend Canadian industry and fight for Canadian workers. I would like to thank Canada’s many friends in America for their support.

We are America’s best friend and closest ally. Canada and the United States have the greatest economic partnership of any two countries in the world. We’re staunch allies in NORAD, in NATO, and all along our 8,891 km peaceful and secure border.

For Canada to be considered as posing any kind of security threat to the United States is inconceivable.

In recent days, we have worked energetically with our American counterparts to secure an exemption for Canada from these tariffs. This includes tremendous efforts by Canadian premiers, business and labour leaders and parliamentarians of all stripes. This has been a true Team Canada effort. This work continues and it will continue until the prospect of these duties is fully and permanently lifted.

Today is a step forward. There’s more hard work to do, and we will not let up. We are focused on getting a good result for Canadians.

As we move forward, we will be thorough, measured and effective.

Our approach will be guided by our strong desire to abide by, and uphold, the rules-based international order that Canada and the United States helped build.

Make no mistake: we will protect our industry. We will not stand by while Canadians’ livelihoods are put at risk. We will strongly defend our workers.

With respect to NAFTA: we are energetically at work modernizing and updating this agreement in a way that upholds and defends the best interests of Canadians. Our approach has been consistent since negotiations began last year. Today’s announcement does not change that.

We know a fair deal, a win-win-win deal, is within reach. That is what we are working towards. Canada is absolutely committed to this outcome and we are working tirelessly to achieve it. Thank you.”

Ontario’s Premier’s statement on U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs

Premier Kathleen Wynne released the following statement on Thursday on Canada’s exemption from the U.S.’s new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports:

“We learned today that Canada has been exempted from the U.S. government’s new steel and aluminum import tariffs — for now. While it is important to recognize that we are still facing challenges, I am pleased that we got the decision we fought for — the one that protects workers and businesses in Ontario’s steel and aluminum industry. It speaks to the success of Ontario’s strategy of extensive outreach to U.S. leaders during this period of uncertainty. But it also underlines the threats we still face during this uncertain time and the need for my outreach and advocacy to continue.

In a little over a year, I have met with 37 U.S. governors and dozens of senators, congress people and senior members of the U.S. administration. In my frequent and ongoing conversations with U.S. leaders on issues relating to trade and the jobs it supports, I have argued for the maintenance of a strong, integrated economy, with steel emerging as a major focus of those discussions over the past number of weeks.

Ontario is home to more than 70 per cent of Canada’s steel-making capacity. The industry is a key employer, supporting good jobs in places like Sault Ste. Marie and Hamilton and in related industries across the province, including our automotive, energy and construction sectors. As such, Ontario’s steel and aluminum businesses are a crucial part of North America’s steel and broader manufacturing infrastructure.

As key allies and partners in NORAD and NATO, Canada and the U.S. are integral to each other’s national security. Canada is a safe and secure supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., and it is worth noting that Canada buys more American steel than the rest of the world combined. As I made clear to our U.S. partners, the proposed tariffs would have not only harmed Ontario companies, but also U.S. companies and workers that rely on existing trade relationships with Canada.

I have been encouraged by the responses we have received from business and government leaders across the U.S., who shared our concerns over the major consequences that U.S. tariffs would have had on both sides of the border. Today’s outcome confirms that we are taking the right approach when it comes to protecting Ontario workers by standing up for our interests south of the border. We have allies and we are making a strong case for our partnership. But we are not out of the woods yet.

As the NAFTA negotiations continue over the coming weeks and months, we remain committed to working alongside our neighbours in the U.S. and our federal government to protect the strong trade relationship we have built across the border and to advocate for Ontario’s interests. Ontario appreciates the close working relations we have with our federal government as we navigate this challenging period. After the events of the last week, and with today’s decision to exempt Canada from the U.S.’s steel and aluminium tariffs by no means a final one, it is only more apparent that we need to continue strengthening these relationships in order to get the greater certainty we need from our partner and ally to the south.

As Premier, I will continue to stand up whenever Ontario’s interests are being threatened. In these uncertain times, we must remain vigilant and advocate for our workers and businesses at every opportunity. I am continuing to build on the strong relationships I have developed with U.S. government and business leaders to find new ways to continue to work together.

The decision made today by President Trump’s administration to exempt Ontario and Canada from the new tariffs is a positive development and a demonstration that our U.S. engagement strategy is working. But with the tide of protectionism rising across the U.S., we have more work to do and will remain vigilant.”

Concert/fundraiser tonight in Wallaceburg

Tidal Wave Movement and James Street Eatery are presenting Marty Oblak with special guest James Bolos.

The show is being held Friday, March 9.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m.

General admission tickets are $35.

A cash bar is available by James Street Eatery.

A VIP ticket costs $100. This includes cocktail mix and mingle from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at the Eatery. Show at the theatre. Cash bar by James Street Eatery. After party/acoustic open mic, snacks and night caps.

Proceeds go directly to the Tidal Wave Movement for support and awareness for mental health.

This is in loving memory of Matt Moran.