The United Steelworkers union (USW) has raised alarm over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement of a proposed 25% blanket tariff on Canadian goods entering the United States, warning that the move would negatively impact workers in both countries.
USW International President David McCall characterized the tariff plan as harmful and misguided, stating that while global trade issues must be addressed, Canada is not the source of the problem. “If applied, these extraordinary tariffs leveled on Canada would dramatically harm workers in both our countries,” McCall said. “There is no question that we must address the holes in our global trading system, but Canada is not the problem.”
McCall’s comments underscore the union’s concern about the interconnected nature of the Canadian and U.S. economies, which rely on robust cross-border trade and coordinated efforts to address shared challenges, including the flow of unfairly traded goods into North America.
Emphasizing collaboration
USW Canadian National Director Marty Warren echoed McCall’s sentiments, stressing the need for cooperative approaches to trade policies. He pointed to Canada’s recent efforts to align its policies with the United States to counteract unfair trade practices.
“There is absolutely no doubt that working families are the first to get hurt by unfair trade practices, including global overcapacity in key sectors,” Warren said. “The answer, however, is to work together as allies on sensible trade policies that will allow us to contain bad actors like China.”
Warren and McCall emphasized that Canada remains a vital partner for the United States, both economically and in terms of national security. The proposed tariffs, they argued, would jeopardize progress made in securing supply chains and protecting jobs in critical industries.
Union’s historical stance
The USW, which represents 225,000 members across Canada and a total of 850,000 members in North America, has long advocated for trade policies that prioritize worker protections and economic stability.
“Our union in both the United States and Canada has been on the front lines for decades fighting for worker-forward trade policies that keep our critical supply chains secure,” McCall said. “Now, rather than taking a step back, we must capitalize on our current momentum in order to create lasting change.”
The union leaders warned that imposing tariffs on a close economic partner like Canada could disrupt the integrated supply chains that have been built over decades, undermining industries and threatening jobs on both sides of the border.
Potential impact on workers
The USW’s statements reflect broader concerns about the economic fallout of tariffs in an interconnected global economy. As industries rely heavily on cross-border trade, the proposed 25% tariff could lead to increased production costs, job losses, and reduced competitiveness in key sectors.
While the Trump administration has not yet provided details on the implementation timeline or scope of the tariffs, the USW’s position signals growing unease among labour leaders about the potential consequences for workers and industries in both nations.