SECTOR GUIDE · REGIONAL TARIFF RESPONSE INITIATIVE
For mills, service centres, fabricators and steel product makers.
Steel sits at the centre of the trade dispute. U.S. tariffs hit Canadian steel and steel products on the way out, and Canada's own measures raise the cost of U.S., Chinese and offshore steel on the way in. RTRI can fund the cash-flow gap that creates, or a project that moves your business toward customers and products the tariffs do not touch.
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Tariff facts checked against official sources on October 29, 2026 • Sources linked below
See all sector guidesHOW TARIFFS HIT THIS SECTOR
Steel companies often feel tariffs on both sides: lost or repriced U.S. orders on what they ship, and higher costs on what they buy. Importers may also qualify for remission from Finance Canada, which is worth checking before you size a liquidity request.
Tariff measures change often. Each item links to the official source, and rates are as published on October 29, 2026.
Since April 6, 2026, in-scope steel and steel derivative products pay 10% to 50% on their full value. Products under 15% steel content by weight are exempt, and goods made of at least 85% U.S. steel pay a reduced 10%.
U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods (Trade Commissioner Service)Since September 15, 2026, the 50% Section 338 tariff stacks on Section 232 where both apply, and iron and steel structural components were added to its scope.
U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods (Trade Commissioner Service)Canada's tariffs on U.S. steel products moved from 25% to 25% or 50% on September 8, 2026.
Canada's tariffs on steel and aluminum (Finance Canada)A 25% surtax applies to Chinese steel and to imports containing steel melted and poured in China, a 25% surtax applies to steel derivative products from any country, and non-CUSMA steel above quota pays 50%. Only one of these measures applies to a given good.
Canada's tariffs on steel and aluminum (Finance Canada)WHO QUALIFIES
Operating in a sector hit by Section 232 tariffs, as a direct exporter or as a supplier to an affected exporter, is one of the ways to meet RTRI's tariff impact test. Service and logistics firms that play a critical role in a manufacturing exporter's supply chain may also qualify.
Retail, local consumer services (such as hotels, restaurants, utilities, healthcare and recreation), oil and gas extraction and construction services are generally not eligible.
Steel mills and processors. Steel service centres and distributors. Structural, plate and sheet metal fabricators. Makers of steel products and components.
In at least one of your last two fiscal years, as an incorporated, for-profit business located and operating in the region you apply to.
Assessed through your attestation, financial statements and operating history. Businesses founded after March 21, 2025 are considered case by case.
Meet at least one test: a sector hit by Section 232 or 338 tariffs (directly or as a supplier), 25% or more of revenue from goods ultimately exported to the U.S., or harm from tariffs or the uncertainty they created.
HOW RTRI CAN HELP
Liquidity assistance covers tariff-related cash-flow shortfalls in your existing labour and overhead. Pivot projects fund net-new investment on top of the business you already run. You can apply for either, or both.
Non-repayable support for a tariff-related cash-flow shortfall in the business you already run.
For a mill or fabricator, liquidity can keep trained crews on payroll while order books reset. It is based on 50% of average monthly payroll over the last 12 months, capped at your demonstrated need and $2M, and is non-repayable.
Tariffs, customs duties, raw materials, inventory and debt payments are not eligible liquidity costs. Dividends are restricted while liquidity support is in place.
Funding for net-new investment on top of your existing labour, overhead and operations.
Projects need new, incremental costs and measurable results. Land and building purchases, entertainment, vehicles and refinancing are not eligible.
Up to $3M in combined non-repayable support: $2M for liquidity plus $1M for a non-repayable pivot. Total RTRI support, including repayable funding, is capped at $20M per business. The same costs cannot be funded twice.
THE EVIDENCE THAT MATTERS
Tariff impact is what gets assessed. You do not need to attach every business record, but each claim should trace back to one.
Examples of indirect tariff impactWHERE TO APPLY
RTRI is delivered by seven regional development agencies, each with its own process. You apply to the agency for the region where your business operates, and separate requests are needed for employees in more than one region.
Fillable PDF form, submitted from Adobe Acrobat Reader
FedNorFedNor self-service portal, after a call with a FedNor officer
CEDContact CED first; CED assesses eligibility, then sends the form
PrairiesCanDetailed application in the PrairiesCan online portal
PacifiCanPacifiCan online portal, stream “BC (PacifiCan) - RTRI-Business”
ACOAMyACOA Client Portal, after talking to your nearest ACOA office
ALL REGIONSAll seven regional development agencies
SECTOR QUESTIONS
Practical answers based on the agencies' published RTRI guidance and official tariff sources.
Yes. Steel mills, service centres and fabricators can apply to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative through their regional development agency for non-repayable liquidity support of up to $2M, pivot project funding, or both.
Operating in a sector hit by Section 232 tariffs is one of the ways to show tariff impact, and it includes indirect exposure as a supplier to an affected exporter. You still need $1M+ in revenue in one of the last two fiscal years and a viable business before tariffs.
Potentially. Higher input costs caused by tariffs are an accepted form of impact, and Canada's tariffs on U.S. steel are now 25% or 50%. Tariffs you pay are not reimbursed by RTRI, but they are strong evidence of impact.
That is a separate process. Finance Canada offers remission in specific circumstances, including existing relief for some uses and a request process for others. RTRI funding is assessed separately, and any other government assistance must be disclosed.
New, incremental investments with measurable results, such as equipment for new customers or products, automation, value-added processing, certifications and market diversification. Ongoing operating costs belong in liquidity, not in the project budget.
LET'S FIND YOUR NEXT STEP
Tell us what has changed for your business. In a free, one-on-one consultation, we will help you understand your tariff relief funding options and next steps, whether or not you work with us.
Independent advisory by Fundspoke. We are not a government agency. Tariff measures and program terms change often; official sources, your regional agency's current rules and your contribution agreement govern. Your customs broker can confirm how tariffs apply to your products.