Steelworkers Union Condemns Trump’s Proposed 35% Tariff on Canada

The head of the United Steelworkers in Canada has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for threatening to impose a 35% tariff on all Canadian products starting August 1, 2023. Marty Warren, the national director of the United Steelworkers (USW), described the proposed tariffs as “outrageous” and an attack on Canadian workers.

In a public statement, Warren emphasized that Canadian workers will not be intimidated. “These tariffs are a blatant assault on Canadian workers and everything we build in this country,” he stated. His comments came in response to a letter from Trump to Prime Minister Mark Carney, where the President implicated Canada in the U.S. opioid crisis and threatened further tariffs if Canada retaliates.

According to Warren, the situation reflects a struggle for power rather than any genuine concern for public safety or fair trade practices. “This is clearly about power and control,” he said. “Canada cannot cave to blackmail. Our government must stand up for Canadian workers, enforce trade rules, and protect our industries before it’s too late.”

The looming tariffs are likely to extend to copper, which would face a 50% tariff, joining existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automotive products. The USW warns that such measures could jeopardize thousands of jobs in Canada’s mining, manufacturing, and processing sectors.

Warren has called on the Canadian government to take immediate action to safeguard employment and maintain industry stability. He advocates for reforms in Employment Insurance to offer better access and extended support for workers facing layoffs, as well as the implementation of a wage subsidy program that includes job guarantees, similar to those during the pandemic.

“Enough is enough,” Warren asserted. “Workers need action, not empty words. Canada must make it clear that we will not be bullied into surrendering our industries and jobs.”

As tensions rise between the two nations over trade issues, the future of Canadian industries remains uncertain, and the stakes for workers in multiple sectors are exceedingly high. The USW continues to push for a robust response from the Canadian government to protect its workforce against potential economic fallout.