Latest news with #UnitedSteelworkers
CBC
15 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Steelworkers union says incoming doubling of tariffs will be devastating
Social Sharing Saskatchewan's steel and aluminum industry is under threat once again, with U.S. President Donald Trump's doubling of tariffs on their products set to come into effect Wednesday. Canada is the largest steel supplier to the United States, accounting for almost 25 per cent of all U.S. steel imports in 2023. The existing 25 per cent levy on steel and aluminum, imposed in March, has already put a strain on Canadian metal producers and other industries throughout the metal supply chain. Now that number is scheduled to move to 50 per cent on Wednesday. Scott Lunny, District 3 director for United Steelworkers, said the increase is going to be devastating for the industry. "We've already seen declines in steel exports to the US of almost 30 per cent, and I think something like 25 per cent in aluminum, already up to April of this year," Lunny said. He said the government needs to double down on countermeasures to get the tariffs lessened or removed completely. At the same time, there needs to be an increase in domestic demand for steel and aluminum to "keep people working and keep those mills producing." While tariffs have a place in the economy, there needs to be unity on both sides of the border to protect North America's domestic industry from unfair trade, Lunny said. "Canada is not the problem," he said. "If we want to protect our domestic industry, we have to be working as Canadians and Americans to protect the North American production and supply chain and steel, aluminum, and many other industries against unfair trade from other other players around the world." Lunny said Trump's tariffs hurt working people and their families most. "If people lose their jobs or there's uncertainty or they don't have security in their employment and their income, that's damaging to our whole society," he said. "This industry's been through that kind of thing in the past. And, you know, I think it will survive. But we really need leadership from the federal government." Sask. Opposition calls for infrastructure spending Saskatchewan's Opposition NDP has also called on the federal government to prioritize building more projects in the province and across the country. As the first ministers' meetings proceeded in Saskatoon on Monday, the Sask. NDP urged the premiers to support several new investments to strengthen the province's market. Those investments include: Expanding rail and port capacity and ensuring rapid, reliable movement of agricultural and mining products to market. A pipeline to the East Coast to carry western oil and gas to new markets in Europe. Twinning Highway 1 from coast to coast so truckers can move their goods across Canada without entering the United States. Expanding and improving electrical transmission lines to sell Saskatchewan-generated power to the rest of Canada and other markets. "We should bet on Saskatchewan and build Canada," Aleana Young, Saskatchewan NDP MLA for Regina South Albert, said. "The local business owners and the steelworkers that I've spoken to know first hand that depending too much on the United States makes us vulnerable to tariffs, trade disputes and job losses."
Vancouver Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa commits to prioritizing domestic aluminum and steel for defence, infrastructure projects
Ottawa is committed to using Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defence projects as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose more tariffs, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Sunday. After meeting with aluminum industry leaders at a summit in Montreal, Joly said the government is waiting to see if Trump follows through on his threat to increase steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 per cent through an executive order. That tariff increase is set to go into effect on Wednesday. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The United Steelworkers union welcomed Joly's announcement Monday. The union's national director, Marty Warren, said in a media statement the organization has 'consistently called for strong Buy Canadian policies to protect good jobs and rebuild domestic supply chains, especially in the face of a worsening trade war and unfair global competition.' Warren said his organization will be watching to ensure the federal government follows through on its promise to use Canadian metals. 'That means clear, enforceable rules that actually prioritize Canadian-made materials — starting with steel and aluminum, but also including wood, critical minerals and other key sectors. This must be the beginning, not the end, of a broader industrial strategy that supports Canadian jobs and production,' he said. The Liberals campaigned in the recent election on 'maximizing' the use of Canadian steel, aluminum and forestry products in public projects. In March, Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States. Canada is the largest steel supplier to the United States, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of all imports in 2023. The tariffs are putting strain on Canadian metal producers and others throughout the metals supply chain. Last week, aluminum trader Sinobec Group Inc. filed for creditor protection, blaming the tariffs — as well as the wider political landscape and a weak market — for its financial troubles. The Montreal-based company with about 76 staff said in its creditor filing that the economic pressures and global tariffs contributed to it being unable to raise debt financing to fund a turnaround. David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a specialist in defence procurement, said Joly's plan is 'definitely a worthwhile initiative' but it comes with risk. Introducing a Buy Canadian element to military procurement without introducing 'additional inefficiencies in our procurement system, at a time when the government also campaigned on making it more efficient and streamlined, is going to be the real trick.' He said while the government makes many purchases that use large amounts of steel and aluminum, they're split into dozens or even hundreds of different contracts. 'Figuring out a way to make Canadian involvement in a supply chain be a key consideration in a way that makes both economic and strategic sense, I think, is probably going to take some creativity on the part of the federal government, but (is) certainly worth exploring,' he said. Some naval and defence procurement applications require a special certification not all Canadian producers have, Perry said, adding the government could step in to help them obtain the certification. He said there is a difference between the steel used in general commercial applications, such as construction, and the steel used in defence applications — which, for example, might have to withstand the impact of a shell or an exploding landmine. 'Some of those applications in defence, they have to be both pretty thin, so that the vehicle or the ship isn't super heavy, as well as strong,' he said. 'And that's less of a consideration … with commercial construction-use steel.' — With files from Ian Bickis in Toronto Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
17 hours ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Ottawa commits to prioritizing domestic aluminum and steel for defence, infrastructure projects
Article content That tariff increase is set to go into effect on Wednesday. The United Steelworkers union welcomed Joly's announcement Monday. The union's national director, Marty Warren, said in a media statement the organization has 'consistently called for strong Buy Canadian policies to protect good jobs and rebuild domestic supply chains, especially in the face of a worsening trade war and unfair global competition.' Warren said his organization will be watching to ensure the federal government follows through on its promise to use Canadian metals. 'That means clear, enforceable rules that actually prioritize Canadian-made materials — starting with steel and aluminum, but also including wood, critical minerals and other key sectors. This must be the beginning, not the end, of a broader industrial strategy that supports Canadian jobs and production,' he said.
National Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
Ottawa commits to prioritizing domestic aluminum and steel for defence, infrastructure projects
Ottawa is committed to using Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defence projects as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose more tariffs, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Sunday. Article content After meeting with aluminum industry leaders at a summit in Montreal, Joly said the government is waiting to see if Trump follows through on his threat to increase steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 per cent through an executive order. Article content The United Steelworkers union welcomed Joly's announcement Monday. Article content The union's national director, Marty Warren, said in a media statement the organization has 'consistently called for strong Buy Canadian policies to protect good jobs and rebuild domestic supply chains, especially in the face of a worsening trade war and unfair global competition.' Article content Warren said his organization will be watching to ensure the federal government follows through on its promise to use Canadian metals. Article content 'That means clear, enforceable rules that actually prioritize Canadian-made materials — starting with steel and aluminum, but also including wood, critical minerals and other key sectors. This must be the beginning, not the end, of a broader industrial strategy that supports Canadian jobs and production,' he said. Article content The Liberals campaigned in the recent election on 'maximizing' the use of Canadian steel, aluminum and forestry products in public projects. Article content Article content In March, Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States. Canada is the largest steel supplier to the United States, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of all imports in 2023. Article content Article content The tariffs are putting strain on Canadian metal producers and others throughout the metals supply chain. Article content Last week, aluminum trader Sinobec Group Inc. filed for creditor protection, blaming the tariffs — as well as the wider political landscape and a weak market — for its financial troubles. Article content The Montreal-based company with about 76 staff said in its creditor filing that the economic pressures and global tariffs contributed to it being unable to raise debt financing to fund a turnaround. Article content David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a specialist in defence procurement, said Joly's plan is 'definitely a worthwhile initiative' but it comes with risk. Article content Article content Introducing a Buy Canadian element to military procurement without introducing 'additional inefficiencies in our procurement system, at a time when the government also campaigned on making it more efficient and streamlined, is going to be the real trick.'
Global News
a day ago
- Business
- Global News
Using Canadian steel for defence, industry is a ‘turning point,' union says
A commitment by the federal government to use Canadian steel and aluminum for major national defence and infrastructure projects could be a 'turning point' for Canada's economy, the union representing steelworkers said Monday. 'The United Steelworkers (USW) welcomes the federal government's decision to require Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defense projects,' the union's national director Marty Warren said. The statement comes after Industry Minister Melanie Joly committed to using Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defence projects as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose more tariffs. 10:54 Trump 'is not finished with tariffs' After meeting with aluminum industry leaders at a summit in Montreal, Joly said the government is waiting to see if Trump follows through on his threat to increase steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 per cent through an executive order. Story continues below advertisement The hike in tariffs is set to go into effect Wednesday. Warren said this action by the Canadian government was especially important 'in the face of a worsening trade war and unfair global competition.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The union, which represents 225,000 members across Canada, called for protections to be put into place for workers impacted by Trump's tariffs. 'We continue to call for stronger trade enforcement, anti-dumping measures, comprehensive reform to Employment Insurance, and the introduction of a wage subsidy program to support workers impacted by this trade war,' Warren said. 1:02 Trump says he will double steel tariffs to 50 per cent The Liberals campaigned in the recent election on 'maximizing' the use of Canadian steel, aluminum and forestry products in public projects. In March, Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States. Canada is the largest steel supplier to the United States, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of all imports in 2023. He threatened to increase those on Saturday. Story continues below advertisement Canadian metal producers are sounding the alarm over Trump's heightened tariff plan. Catherine Cobden, president and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), said the steel industries in Canada and the U.S. are highly integrated and tariffs would hit steel producers on both sides. 'Steel tariffs at this level will create mass disruption and negative consequences across our highly integrated steel supply chains and customers on both sides of the border,' Cobden said in a statement Saturday. 2:06 Canada ponders response to Trump's latest steel tariffs threat The tariff increase will take effect Wednesday, Trump said in a Truth Social post shortly after he announced the new rate for steel imports at a rally with steelworkers in Pennsylvania. 'Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers,' Trump wrote. Story continues below advertisement Cobden said the move 'essentially closes the U.S. market to our domestic industry for half of its production.' 'It is vital that the Government of Canada responds immediately to fully re-instate retaliatory steel tariffs to match the American tariffs and to implement as quickly as possible new tariffs at our own borders to stop unfairly traded steel from entering Canada,' she said. She said a trade war between Canada and the U.S. would 'have unrecoverable consequences' on the North American steel industry. — with files from The Canadian Press
