Float glass is on the list of retaliatory tariffs Canada is planning is Trump goes forward with his tariffs on April 2. There’s a public review open on the Ministry of Finance website…see the link in the Fenestration Canada story below.
– Patrick Flannery, publisher/editor
Looks like 25 percent aluminum and steel tariffs for now
As of 4:45 on March 12, Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel are in place but the threat to raise them to 50 percent has been taken off the table following an agreement with Ontario premier Doug Ford to not put 25 percent export tariffs on Ontario electricity. Who knows what 4:46 will bring.
In comments to Glass Canada, Blake Sanders of Spandreltech and OGMA president explained how tariffs affect businesses like his. Spandreltech exports about 30 percent of its aluminum spandrel panel production to the U.S. and its products will be directly affected. Sanders says he has had to scramble to change estimates hours after making them as Trump’s trade policy changes minute-by-minute. U.S. clients are seeking to negotiate over who will bear the cost of the tariffs. However, this is less of a problem than the paperwork and delays. Previously, Spandreltech was able to ship product to the U.S. with a minimum of bureaucracy because no duties were owed. Now, the American receiver must be identified as an importer and all shipments cleared through customs brokers before final delivery, adding unpredictable hours or days to deliveries. Sanders says his company is already making efforts to find more business in western Canada and elsewhere to make up an anticipated drop in U.S. orders.
Fenestration Canada responds to proposed Phase 2 tariffs
Fenestration Canada has drafted a message to the federal Department of Finance in response to its proposed second tranche of tariffs on $125 billion of U.S. imports. The Canadian tariffs would be additional to the $30 billion of countermeasures put in place following Washington’s March 4 imposition of tariffs on almost all Canadian goods entering the United States. Ottawa has announced that this second wave of tariffs is on hold following Trump’s announcement that only goods not imported under the Canada US Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA) will be affected by U.S. tariffs.
Full list and public review form here.
Fenestration Canada officials are explaining that they still wish to speak up given the uncertainty around U.S. actions. “Our issue now is making sure that glass stays off any potential counter-tariff list for the government,” said Adrian Edge, Fenestration Canada director of codes and regulatory affairs. “If this proceeds unabated, we’ll be asking ourselves why we didn’t work harder to push back.”
FenCan’s message to Ottawa follows:
As the trade association representing the Fenestration industry of Canada, we and our various partners are writing to you as we have reviewed Phase 2 goods proposed to go into effect March 25th and collectively weare disturbed to see nearly all of the parts and components we use to manufacture windows and doorsincluded. This includes glass, hardware, gaskets, steel, aluminum, wood, uPVC, and fibreglass in both material and finished form. As a whole, we disagree with the use of counter tariffs in our current conflict with the US. If this second round of counter tariffs goes through, it is not hyperbole to expect the Canadian Fenestration industry to collapse. Our interdependence with the US for materials and standards has merged the value proposition for both US and Canadian consumers in such a way that sourcing or selling abroad is only possible with a wholesale dismantling and reinventing of our industry.
Float glass (hk code 7005.10.00) is specifically worrisome as Canada does not have float glass manufacturing and a majority of the glass (approx 89.6%) our suppliers use comes from the US.
I humbly offer our organization as a resource to better understand the overall impacts of the counter tariffs onthe Fenestration industry. We ask that you carefully review the impacts of the various glass codes, consideringour dependence on float glass from the US (7005.10, 7007.19, 7007.21, 7008.00) and the rest of the components used to manufacture windows and doors in Canada. We also ask that you work with us on solutions to protect our industry and incentivize the creation of glass manufacturing in Canada.
The message is signed by Edge, FenCan president Ron Edger (Centennial Windows) and FenCan executive directior, Stephane Labelle.
Commercial glazing topics on the menu at FenBC Summit
Registration is now open for the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) FENBC Region Summit, taking place April 1-2 in Surrey, BC. This annual two-day event will feature a welcome reception, commercial and residential topic coverage and opportunities to engage with industry leaders. Industry professionals can register now for this exclusive in-person event dedicated to exploring the latest trends in the fenestration industry in British Columbia.
“The FGIA FenBC Region brings together manufacturers, glaziers, architects, builders and code officials to address regionally specific issues and provides the insights you need to stay compliant, competitive and informed,” said Florica Vlad, FGIA Events Manager. “At this summit, you can access expert-led discussions about regulatory and code updates, total energy building designs and more.”
The April 1 welcome reception will take place at 4:30-6 p.m. at Charcoal and Woodz restaurant. The following day will begin with a continental breakfast at 7 a.m. Sessions will conclude that afternoon at 4 p.m. The preliminary schedule for the summit is now available, with the final schedule to be published in the coming weeks. Sponsorship opportunities for companies to promote their involvement are also available.
Summit Speakers
Sessions will allow participants to:
• Understand how the U.S. and Canadian tariffs, politics and trade relations may impact the fenestration industry and supply chain with Louis-Philippe Champane (Canadian Construction Association)
• Receive a legislative update on the region from FENBC Region President, Jennifer Sawicky (Glastech Glazing Contractors) and Director of Canadian and Technical Glass Operations, Amy Roberts (FGIA)
• Become educated on the structural and building envelope conflicts in all-glass pool enclosures with presenters Brian Hubbs and Jonathan Tow (RDH Building Science)
• Join industry experts, including Gary Brown (SGB Services), David Vadocz (RDH Building Science), Dave Goldsmith (Ply Gem Canada) and Jagdeep Singh (Centra Windows and Install Pros) as they discuss test results and analysis discrepancy between engineering and the installation of head clips
• Discover total energy building designs and their impacts on specific components with Anton Van Dyk (JRS Engineering)
• Learn what is new in the codes arena with the popular Code Talkers Panel, as presented by Neil Norris (RDH Building Science), Goldsmith and Van Dyk