Canada banned aluminium and steel imports from Russia, aiming at “cutting off or limiting revenues being used to fund the Russia-Ukraine war”.

According to the latest government data, these imports represented nearly 250 million Canadian dollars (170 million euros) in 2021.

This coincides with the entry into force of a 200% increase in tariffs on Russian aluminium imports announced by the United States last month.

It also follows a steel ban imposed by the European Union last year.

“Canada and its partners have previously imposed sanctions on Russia’s central bank and capped the price of Russian oil and gas,” Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

“And we are now making sure that Putin cannot finance his war by selling aluminium and steel to Canada, by coordinating our efforts with those of the United States today,” she added.

The new decision covers all aluminium products from Russia, such as raw aluminium, aluminium foil and finished products, including aluminium containers and other household items.