Marty Warren, National Director of the United Steelworkers Union (USW), met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on September 1 to discuss the impact that U.S. tariffs have had and will have on the Canadian steel industry when the new counter tariffs take effect on September 8. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss measures to protect Canadian workers, jobs and industrial potential.
Warren attended it along with federal ministers and other trade union representatives. representatives, speaking about the difficulties faced by workers and communities affected by the US tariffs, and the need to develop a long-term strategy to strengthen the Canadian economy.
Warren said that "Canada was right to stick to its position rather than agree to a bad deal, and it was right to respond to these unjustified tariffs with counter tariffs. But the workers did not start this trade war and should not pay for it." He then called for measures to help workers keep their jobs and provide the necessary support to those affected.
The union called for increased support for workers, including continuous improvement of the employment insurance system and the introduction of an emergency program to keep workers at their jobs. Warren also said that aid aimed at industries affected by tariffs should protect jobs and domestic production, rather than subsidize companies that cut positions or move jobs elsewhere.
The USW also pushed for stricter procurement requirements in Canada, tougher measures to combat dumping and unfair sales of goods, a comprehensive industrial strategy and broader trade diversification to reduce dependence on the US market.;
The meeting took place a week before Canada's expanded countermeasures came into force. On August 25, Ottawa announced that it would comply with new U.S. dollar-for-dollar tariffs and the exchange rate, which imposes 15 percent, 25 percent, and 50 percent duties on goods subject to tariffs under Sections 338 and 232, covering imports from the United States of steel, dairy products, household appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper products and electronics worth $27.6 billion. Canadian dollars. Duties on American steel and aluminum products are being increased from 25% to 50% under the package, while existing counter tariffs on American cars remain in effect.
The USW represents 225,000 members in Canada and 850,000 in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
There are no comments yet.