June 19, 2025
With steel and aluminum tariffs continuing to reshape the Canadian construction landscape, Supreme Steel’s President and COO David Fritz returned to CBC News to weigh in on the federal government’s latest announcement—and what it could mean for Canadian fabricators.
Watch the full interview on CBC
The interview followed comments from Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who signaled a proposed quota system and a potential tax hike on American steel imports if Canada and the U.S. can’t reach a deal by July 21. While some see this as a strong negotiating tactic, Fritz emphasized that key questions remain unanswered.
“He’s posturing a little bit, which I understand,” said Fritz. “But the critical piece that’s missing is: how are consumers being helped by this? Rising steel prices are pushing project costs higher. Owners are starting to shelve their projects—and that’s shrinking the pool of work for everyone.”
For Supreme Steel, which has relied on long-standing relationships with U.S. suppliers and customers, this shift in trade policy is more than just a headline—it’s a daily operational concern. The lack of a domestic supplier for wide flange (W-shaped) beams, a critical component in infrastructure projects, forces fabricators like Supreme to look abroad.
“The U.S. has historically been our main option. But the message from the government now is clear: ‘Don’t buy from the U.S. anymore,’” Fritz explained. “That leaves Asia or Europe, but projects don’t always have the lead time needed to source materials from that far away.”
Even when international options are available, they come with trade-offs. “In some cases, overseas steel can be cheaper, but there are concerns about labor standards, material quality, and fair competition,” said Fritz. “We’re happy to compete. We just want a level playing field.”
Despite the challenges, there’s a glimmer of optimism. “What gives us hope,” Fritz added, “is that the government is indicating that negotiations with the U.S. are happening. A fair-trade deal is ultimately what we want.”
Supreme Steel remains committed to navigating this evolving trade environment with resilience and foresight, standing up for our industry while delivering excellence in steel fabrication across North America.