U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% is being slammed by the United Steelworkers (USW) as a direct assault on Canadian jobs, with the union calling on Ottawa to respond immediately and forcefully.“A 50% tariff would completely shut us out of the U.S. market,” said Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada. “This isn’t trade policy — it’s a direct attack on Canadian industries and workers.”Set to take effect Wednesday, the tariffs were confirmed by Trump on social media and do not exempt Canada, despite it being the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S. The USW warned the move could upend cross-border supply chains and jeopardize tens of thousands of jobs in industries ranging from manufacturing and auto to defense, aerospace, and construction.“Workers in Canada’s steel and aluminum industries have already been hit hard by months of uncertainty. Now their livelihoods are being threatened again,” said Warren. “We need more than statements. We need concrete action — and we need it now.”The USW is urging the federal government to invoke Section 53 of the Customs Tariff and impose targeted countermeasures to block offshore steel from flooding the Canadian market. The union also called for the removal of tariff exemptions currently granted to U.S. steel and aluminum, arguing that Canadian producers must be shielded if they are being locked out of the American market.To support long-term recovery and resilience, the union is pressing Ottawa to boost domestic demand through strategic spending and procurement reform. That includes mandating Canadian-made steel and aluminum in all publicly funded infrastructure projects and introducing a made-in-Canada tax credit to encourage domestic sourcing in private industry.The USW is also pushing for immediate support for workers at risk, including reforms to Employment Insurance and the creation of a wage subsidy program tied to job guarantees.“Canadians expect their government to defend working people – not stand by while entire industries are pushed out of global markets,” Warren said.The United Steelworkers union represents 225,000 members across Canada and 850,000 across North America and the Caribbean.
