With his small steel mill facing hefty US tariffs, Canadian businessman Chris Wyatt is hunting for new European customers at the world’s biggest industrial technology fair in Germany.
“There’s uncertainty in the markets so big projects are being shelved or they’re just not moving ahead,” said sales director Wyatt, handing out flyers at his stand, alongside big players in robotics and factory machinery.
This week’s Hanover Fair, which has attracted more than 4,000 exhibitors from around 60 countries, takes place as US President Donald Trump gears up to announce a wave of “reciprocal tariffs”, ratcheting up global trade tensions even further.
And this year’s guest of honour is Canada — a clear signal that Europe stands with Ottawa as it faces not just hefty duties from the United States, its largest trading partner, but also Trump’s threats to annex the country.
“Welcome to Germany, dear Canadian friends,” German Chancellor Olaf …