The Canadian branch of the United Steelworkers (USW) union is calling on the federal government to enact counter-tariffs against the US in response to a recent move by US president Donald Trump.
On Monday, Trump announced his latest in a series of tariffs, this time a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into his country.
“Trump’s tariffs are a direct attack on workers and communities,” said Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada. “We’ve been through this before and we know these kinds of reckless trade measures don’t work, and hurt workers, destabilize industries and create uncertainty across the economy on both sides of the border.”
Canada exported 3.2 billion tons of aluminum to the US last year, accounting for over 50 per cent of all aluminum imported to America.
As the largest aluminum supplier to the US, Canada’s aluminum industry generated nearly $16 billion in revenue in 2024.
According to Prof. Stephane Mechoulan, an associate professor in the Department of Public and International Affairs in Dalhousie University, Canada’s steel exports to the US are valued at between $3 to $4 billion a year and account for about 15 to 20 per cent of all steel imports to the US.
“The tariffs will disproportionately affect Canadian regions heavily involved in steel and aluminum production. Provinces like Ontario and Quebec, where major production facilities are located, are expected to experience the most significant economic impacts, including job losses and decreased industrial output,” said Mechoulan in an article published by Dalhousie University.
This is not the first time that Trump has placed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Trump had previously placed tariffs on those Canadian industries in 2018 during his first term in office.
At that time, the tariffs imposed by the US led to a drop in exports of nearly 40 per cent for steel and nearly 20 per cent for aluminum.
In addition to calling for counter-tariffs against the US, Warren also wants to see greater use of Canadian steel and aluminum by the federal government in public projects in this country.
“For years, we’ve pushed for domestic procurement policies to ensure taxpayer dollars support Canadian jobs and industries. It’s a shame that this still hasn’t happened, but the government can’t afford to ignore it any longer.” Warren said.
Latest escalation in trade war
Trump’s announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminum come just a week after he implemented 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican goods imported to the US and a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods.
Just days after those tariffs were enacted, they were paused for a month after negotiations between the US and Canada.
READ MORE: Despite 30-day tariff pause Trump still threatens to annex Canada
Lana Payne, the president of Canada’s largest private sector union, Unifor, called Trump’s tariffs “economic warfare.”
“Make no mistake Trump is coming for Canada and the jobs of Canadian workers,” said Payne. “It’s clear his plan is to use economic warfare to weaken our economy. It’s time to push back hard. Canada must respond in full force to the tariffs on steel and aluminum to prevent the U.S. from coming after more jobs and industries.”
In a public statement, François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said that he was consulting with global allies on how to respond to the economic threats from the US.
“We are consulting with international partners as we examine the details. Our response will be clear and calibrated,” said Champagne. “We will continue to stand up for Canada, support our workers, and defend our industries as we have always done and always will.”
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