The Department of Energy says the province’s iron ore industry is well positioned to weather 50 per cent tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports into the United States.

Minister Steve Crocker says the local industry sells very little to the U.S. with a customer base largely focused on East Asia, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

He says in only three of the last 10 years, iron ore from this province was shipped to the U.S. with the highest amount in any year being less than one per cent of the province’s annual production.

He says while the direct impact of steel tariffs is expected to be low in this province, Newfoundland and Labrador is working with Ottawa to develop an appropriate response.