July 18, 2025
As the Canadian government unveiled a major policy shift to restrict foreign steel imports and promote domestic production, Supreme Steel President and CEO David Fritz joined CTV News to weigh in on the implications for the steel fabrication industry.
Watch the full interview on CTV News
Fritz welcomed aspects of the announcement—especially support for Canadian innovation and small-to-medium enterprises—but emphasized the need for balance and realism in trade policy. While targeting unfair dumping practices from certain countries is a positive step, he stressed the importance of preserving trusted trade relationships, particularly with the United States.
“Some countries are dumping steel into our market below cost to hurt Canadian fabricators,” Fritz explained. “But others, like the U.S., are strong partners. We need to protect those relationships while standing up to bad actors.”
Fritz expressed optimism about the expansion of federal loan programs, highlighting their potential to help smaller businesses innovate and scale. He praised the Prime Minister’s commitment to Canadian innovation as a smart economic move.
Still, he cautioned that a trade deal with the United States remains paramount.
“There are certain steel products we don’t make in Canada—and for good reason. We rely on the U.S. for those. The best outcome for North America is still free trade.”
Another key component of the announcement was the promise to prioritize Canadian steel for domestic infrastructure projects. Fritz agreed that this could be transformative—if fully realized.
“If this actually happens, it will make a huge difference,” he said. “But if using Canadian supply chains drives up costs so much that projects don’t go ahead at all, then we’re not in a better place.”
As Canada’s steel sector navigates this evolving landscape, Fritz’s balanced and pragmatic take offers a clear message: protect Canadian interests, invest in innovation, but don’t lose sight of the benefits of long-standing trade relationships.
To hear David’s full remarks, click here to watch the CTV News interview.