HAMILTON — Canada's steel industry was hit with further layoff news Wednesday as ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada announced it is closing its wire drawing mill in Hamilton.

The decision puts 153 employees out of work and adds to the hundreds of workers in the industry already hit by a combination of tariff concerns, market demand and cheap imports coming into the market.

ArcelorMittal did not mention the 50 per cent tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Canadian steel products in its decision to consolidate its wire operations in Montreal, but did cite the wider pressures.

"Despite our best efforts, the ongoing economic challenges, increased steel imports in Canada, and market conditions made it clear that we needed to reduce our operating footprint," said spokesman Jean-Philippe Grou in a

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