Yesterday, after months of threats and intimidation tactics, Donald Trump triggered tariffs on Canadian goods and energy imports to the United States.
It’s abundantly clear that the U.S. Administration is looking to steal away Canadian jobs and investment. This has been Trump’s game plan from the beginning. Canada has no choice but to fight this trade war with everything we have.
And if there was any doubt, this trade war was never about the border. In fact, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce suggested a deal to lower tariffs could be reached if Canada gave into other, unrelated demands, around the CUSMA trade pact. This isn’t about saving people’s lives from the scourge of fentanyl. It’s about extorting Canadians, giving into American economic demands.
Donald Trump has dragged us into an open economic war with the U.S., but he has seriously misjudged the resolve and unity of Canadians. Unifor has publicly warned any corporation that thinks it can take the easy way out by shifting production south of the border that they will have one hell of a fight on their hands.
Your union has been actively advocating for workers on federal and provincial trade councils, in meetings with employers and in conversations the Prime Minister, the Premiers and politicians at all levels.
While Unifor has been clear of the real danger and the terrible impact tariffs will have, we have also stressed that together we can act to control our own economic destiny.
We know just how difficult these developments are for our members. We share your concern and anger. We share your fears and your worry.
Together, we will stand strong. Our country has economic leverage and now it must use it. There has never been a better time for Canada to rise to the challenge of rebuilding our industries and trade relationships and implement measures to reset our economy to secure jobs and develop a more diverse and resilient economy for the future.
We have called for emergency supports for all working people through this process and will maintain this as a key demand of our union to governments.
Unifor has called for the following:
- Targeted and strategic tariff retaliation including dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs.
- Enhanced income supports for workers
- Strategic management of national resources through industrial policy
- Establish Reciprocal Procurement Policies for U.S. Suppliers; Leverage Public Purchasing for Industrial Development
- Emergency relief to mitigate risk of layoff, sustain operations
Unifor members can do our part by jobs by choosing Made in Canada products, by staying engaged and supporting each other, particularly those in sectors who will be hardest hit.
For more information on Unifor’s work visit our Protect Canadian Jobs campaign site here.
View Unifor’s media interviews on tariffs here.
In solidarity,
Lana Payne, National President
Len Poirier, National Secretary-Treasurer
Daniel Cloutier, Quebec Director
Jennifer Murray, Atlantic Regional Director
Samia Hashi, Ontario Regional Director
Gavin McGarrigle, Western Regional Director