Standing up for Canadian workers and jobs

About the Campaign

On Feb. 1, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all Canadian exports and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products and critical minerals, jeopardizing thousands of Canadian jobs and disrupting North American supply chains.

Despite a temporary reprieve, the tariffs took full effect on March 4, 2025, with two limited exemptions announced shortly after: a 30-day exception for the Big Three automakers (Ford, GM, Stellantis) on March 5, and tariff-free access for United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compliant goods under rules of origin.

On March 12, a 25% tariff was imposed on all steel and aluminum imports, extended to downstream products with no exemption for Canada.

On April 3, a further 25% tariff was applied to finished automobiles with non-U.S. content. On May 3, the U.S. finalized a 25% tariff on auto parts. These tariffs apply to the value of non-U.S. content with partial exemptions for USMCA-compliant goods.

On May 31, Trump announced an unprecedented escalation, raising tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%, effective June 4, with no exemption for Canada.

These tariffs are a devastating blow to Canada’s industries. They threaten good union jobs, raise prices and upend years of continental economic integration. Ottawa has responded with countermeasures. However, the scale of this trade war requires more.

Over 50% of USW members in Canada work in sectors that will be affected by the tariffs. Steelworkers in Canada and the U.S. have fought back against reckless trade measures before and we will do so again to ensure strong policies that protect and grow Canadian jobs and industries.

In the face of rising U.S. tariffs and mounting threats to Canadian jobs, our union is calling for urgent federal action to protect workers, strengthen our industrial base, and defend Canada’s economic sovereignty:

• Launch a new wage subsidy (CEWS 2.0) with job guarantees to protect workers affected by tariffs and layoffs.
• Dedicate revenue from retaliatory tariffs to worker supports and domestic industry investment.
• Reform Employment Insurance to ensure better access and longer support.
• Require Canadian-made manufactured products in publicly funded projects.
• Enforce trade rules and fight dumping with all available tools, including Section 53 of the Custom Tariff.
• Stop new trade deals with countries that violate labour or environmental standards.

You can also check out our Stand Up for Steel campaign to learn more about our work defending the long-term health of the steel sector in Canada.