The Port of Oswego Authority has called for a temporary suspension of US tariffs on Canadian goods, saying the 50 per cent duty on Canadian aluminum is reducing shipments, working hours and revenue.
Tom Drumm, executive director of the Port of Oswego Authority, said the tariffs have made an already difficult business environment more challenging. In a recent interview, he called for an economic ceasefire to give Great Lakes ports, customers and suppliers some relief before the end of 2026.
In his words, “It’s an economic ceasefire, in its most simplest terms… if the Great Lakes could get some breathing room here the next two months, it would really set us up for success heading into 2027.”
Between April and October 2023, the port handled around 60,000 tons of aluminum across 11 vessel arrivals. In the comparable period in 2026, five to six vessels arrived, carrying about 20,000 tons combined.
Drumm said the lower volumes have reduced working hours and affected the port’s bottom line. Aluminum is a major source of revenue for the port, which also serves other Great Lakes destinations, including Toledo, Windsor and Detroit, through vessel movements.
Drumm said, “Anytime the Great Lakes does business with Canada and several other ports across the Great Lakes have an intertwined relationship like we do, whether it’s steel, whether it’s aluminum, whether it’s other commodities and products, they’re going to be feeling the effects as well.”