On February 1, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all Canadian exports and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products, threatening thousands of Canadian jobs and disrupting North American supply chains. The federal government responded with $30 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports, with plans for an additional $125 billion in countermeasures.
Just hours before these measures took effect, the federal government secured a 30-day reprieve, delaying implementation. While this provides temporary relief, the threat remains.
As many as 50-55% of USW members in Canada work in sectors that will be affected by the possible 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.
News
Quebec aluminum plant shuts down due to U.S. tariffs
March 4, 2025| Media Releases
MONTREAL, BÉCANCOUR, Que. – Alubar, an aluminum rod manufacturer in the community of Bécancour, shut down its operations today, citing the imposition of U.S. tariffs as the direct cause. The United Steelworkers union (USW), representing 70 workers at the plant, is urging the Quebec and federal governments to swiftly deploy comprehensive action plans that include […]
The United Steelworkers union will not back down in the face of Trump’s economic attack on Canada
March 4, 2025| Media Releases
TORONTO – United Steelworkers union (USW) National Director for Canada Marty Warren is blasting U.S. President Donald Trump’s reckless and unjustified tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., calling them an economic attack on workers in both countries. “This is an all-out attack on Canadian workers, their families and the industries that keep our economy […]
Steelworkers union calls for united front to counter U.S. tariffs
February 28, 2025| Media Releases
TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. – With their workplaces under serious threat, local leaders of the United Steelworkers union (USW)/Syndicat des Métallos in Quebec met today with François-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, to call for a comprehensive, united Canadian response to looming U.S. tariffs. “We call on the governments of Quebec and Canada to […]
United Steelworkers union supports Saskatchewan NDP’s call for trade-enabling infrastructure investments
February 28, 2025| Media Releases
REGINA – The United Steelworkers union (USW) strongly supports the Saskatchewan NDP’s call for massive investments in trade-enabling infrastructure to secure good jobs, boost the economy and expand market access for the province’s world-class exports. “We need serious investment in trade-enabling infrastructure to secure good jobs and a strong future for workers in Saskatchewan and […]
USW leaders, local union presidents and staff have been outspoken in the media, defending our members’ jobs and pushing governments to take action against the reckless U.S. tariffs.
Feb. 10, 2025, CBC Vancouver
USW National Office Researcher Guio Jacinto on what happened when Trump first imposed tariffs in 2018
Feb. 10, 2025, CBC News Network
USW District 6 Director Kevon Stewart on what tariffs could do to Canada’s steel industry
“Let’s be clear: these tariffs are reckless, unfounded, and harmful to both Canadian and American workers. This is not about fair trade; it’s about political posturing at the expense of good-paying jobs.”
