Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
The United Steelworkers union (USW) is calling for swift and forceful retaliation in response to the 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday.
“These tariffs are a direct attack on workers and communities,” said Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada. “If these tariffs move forward, the government must be ready to hit back just as hard and face the consequences of this new chapter in the crisis on jobs.”
Warren is urging the federal government to act immediately with counter-tariffs, enhanced support for workers and industries, and a firm commitment to prioritize Canadian steel and aluminum in public infrastructure projects. He also warned of the potential influx of cheap steel and aluminum from countries shut out of the U.S. market, further harming Canadian industries and jobs.
The USW “strongly condemns” Trump’s decision, calling the move “unjustified” and warning that thousands of Canadian jobs are at risk. Supply chains will also be negatively impacted, Warren said.
“We’ve been through this before, and we know these kinds of reckless trade measures don’t work. They hurt workers, destabilize industries, and create uncertainty across the economy on both sides of the border,” Warren added.
Tariffs were announced Monday evening, despite Canada having secured a temporary reprieve just a week ago.
Dave McCall, USW International President, also criticized the decision, drawing parallels to a similar situation in 2018.
“Canada is not the problem, and these tariffs will only hurt workers on both sides of the border,” McCall said. “Instead of reckless trade wars, we need policies that strengthen manufacturing and protect good jobs in both countries.”
The USW vows to continue pressuring all levels of government to take decisive action to defend Canadian workers and ensure the future stability of the steel and aluminum industries.
Representing 225,000 members across nearly every economic sector in Canada, the USW is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.
