Latest news with #non-CUSMA
01-08-2025
- Business
Ontario, Michigan business groups jointly warn of 'crisis' if Canada, U.S. can't reach trade deal
Two groups representing businesses in Ontario and Michigan are urging Canada and the U.S. to get a trade deal done in order to avoid prolonged instability. Prolonged instability could have serious consequences for key sectors, from automotive and advanced manufacturing to agriculture and logistics, a joint statement Friday from the Ontario and Michigan chambers of commerce said. This is not just a trade story, it's a North American competitiveness crisis. The chambers are calling on both governments to return to the negotiating table. The statement comes after the two countries failed to come to some sort of agreement by an Aug. 1 deadline. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday boosting tariffs from 25 per cent to 35 per cent on Canadian goods that don't comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Michigan and Ontario form one of the largest trade corridors between the two countries. The two jurisdictions are largely connected via the integrated auto sector. In addition to the 35 per cent tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant goods, Trump has also slapped a 25 per cent levy on the non-U.S. portion of assembled vehicles. The U.S. has also imposed 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from all countries. Enlarge image (new window) Tracking the trade war between the U.S. and Canada. Photo: CBC / Wendy Martinez, Graeme Bruce Prime Minister Mark Carney released a statement just past midnight on Friday saying Canada will continue to work toward a deal while focusing on providing supports for impacted industry and diversifying trade. Canada will be our own best customer, creating well-paying careers at home, as we strengthen and diversify our trading partnerships, the statement said. Trump's order cites Canada's lack of co-operation in stemming the flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs across our northern border — even though Canada accounts for a small percentage of drug seizures entering the U.S. But a White House official gave CBC News a different explanation for the lack of an agreement with Canada, saying on background that Canada has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of seriousness in trade discussions as it relates to removing trade barriers. Trump gave Mexico, which accounts for the majority of drug seizures at the U.S. border, a 90-day extension of its current tariff regime with the goal of signing a new deal during that period. 'No deal better than a bad deal' Other Canadian business groups also expressed concerns about the lack of an agreement, but say it's better that Canada take its time rather than accept a bad deal. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says it feels spending a little bit more time on crafting the right deal is well worth the wait because it will deliver lasting benefits. However, the group also feels businesses in Canada and the U.S. urgently need more certainty. Dan Kelly, the president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), blasted the U.S. administration for its tariff rationale. The hike in U.S. tariffs to 35 per cent will harm small businesses on both sides of the border. The fentanyl rationale is even more ridiculous than the decision itself, Kelly said in a statement. CFIB supports the view that no deal is better than a bad deal, but the lack of resolution means small firms will not be able to plan for the future or continue to put off difficult choices. WATCH | Scarcity of goods will force a trade deal by September, O'Toole says: Kelly's sentiment was echoed by the United Steelworkers union on Friday. While we're disappointed an agreement wasn't reached to end this trade war, the worst outcome would have been a deal that locked in permanent damage to our economy, national director Marty Warren said in a statement. Warren encouraged Ottawa to take retaliatory action if necessary. This fight is far from over. The federal government must remain steadfast to secure the right deal for the Canadian economy and Canadian workers and must not accept anything less. Premiers urge Ottawa to stand its ground Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the tariff increase concerning and said Ottawa should retaliate with 50 per cent tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum. Canada shouldn't settle for anything less than the right deal, Ford said on X Thursday night. Now is not the time to roll over. We need to stand our ground. Quebec Premier François Legault called Trump's latest move disappointing and argued that it will hurt Americans. Recent events highlight the importance we must place on diversifying our markets and increasing our economic autonomy, Legault wrote on X in French. We are in contact with the federal government and other provinces regarding the next steps. Discussions with the American administration must continue. In any case, we will defend the interests of Quebecers. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said Canada should still push for a good deal. Canada has what the world wants, and we should not settle for anything less than the best deal for New Brunswickers, she wrote Friday on X. Canada is coming together like never before to support our local businesses, workers and build a strong and resilient economy. We have your back. Darren Major (new window) · CBC News · Senior writer Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's parliamentary bureau in Ottawa. He previously worked as a digital reporter for CBC Ottawa and a producer for CBC's Power & Politics. He holds a master's degree in journalism and a bachelor's degree in public affairs and policy management, both from Carleton University. He also holds master's degree in arts from Queen's University. He can be reached at With files from Katie Simpson and The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
01-08-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Steelworkers call on federal government to hold the line and strengthen Canada's economic defences as trade war escalates
TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — United Steelworkers union (USW) National Director, Marty Warren, issued the following statement: 'Trump's tariffs on Canadian exports remain in place and now he's imposed a 35% general tariff on non-CUSMA compliant Canadian exports, a 50% tariff on steel, aluminum and copper, new duties on softwood lumber and ongoing investigations that could hit even more sectors. These are direct threats to Canadian economic sovereignty and key industries like steel, aluminum, softwood and other manufacturing sectors where thousands of good jobs are on the line.
Hamilton Spectator
01-08-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Steelworkers call on federal government to hold the line and strengthen Canada's economic defences as trade war escalates
TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — United Steelworkers union (USW) National Director, Marty Warren, issued the following statement: 'Trump's tariffs on Canadian exports remain in place and now he's imposed a 35% general tariff on non-CUSMA compliant Canadian exports, a 50% tariff on steel, aluminum and copper, new duties on softwood lumber and ongoing investigations that could hit even more sectors. These are direct threats to Canadian economic sovereignty and key industries like steel, aluminum, softwood and other manufacturing sectors where thousands of good jobs are on the line. Let's be clear: no deal is better than a bad deal. And while we're disappointed an agreement wasn't reached to end this trade war, the worst outcome would have been a deal that locked in permanent damage to our economy. But this fight is far from over. The federal government must remain steadfast to secure the right deal for the Canadian economy and Canadian workers and must not accept anything less. United Steelworkers members have a history of putting it all on the line in bargaining, up to and including strike action. It's never an easy decision but you must meet the challenge of the day: today's battle is a trade war Canadians didn't start. We expect the federal government and provincial premiers to come together to take decisive action to defend Canada, its workers and its key sectors. This means that the government should be ready to take smart, targeted retaliatory measures and provide emergency support for workers – including extending emergency Employment Insurance and Work-Sharing measures beyond their current October 11 expiry. It also means implementing the domestic measures already announced, such as Buy Canada rules, strengthening trade enforcement to tackle unfair imports and dumping, as well as investing in domestic industrial capacity without delay. We need a serious, long-term industrial strategy to reduce our reliance on U.S. trade, rebuild domestic capacity, diversify trading relationships, and strengthen the sectors that sustain communities across this country. And above all, we need to ensure Canada is never again in a position of economic vulnerability. This is a crucial moment. The decisions made today will shape Canada's economic future for years to come. Canada must use this moment to build real economic sovereignty by investing in domestic industries, protecting key sectors and asserting control over our future. We need a government that won't flinch – a government that will defend Canadian jobs with strength, vision and solidarity.' About the United Steelworkers union The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union's strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions. For more information, please contact: Shannon Devine, USW Communications, sdevine@ , 416-938-4402
Calgary Herald
30-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Carney concedes U.S. trade deal may not happen before Aug. 1 deadline
Article content The source said Trump also expressed wanting North American energy dominance that could be achieved with Canada's natural resources but complained that there is too much opposition in Canada to pipelines by those who 'prefer windmills and green energy scams.' Article content Border security was reportedly another sticking point from the U.S. perspective — more specifically fears around China using Canada 'as a platform to gain entry and influence in North America' beyond fentanyl, said the source. Article content Trump had originally pointed to the flow of fentanyl coming into the U.S. to impose 25 per cent tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant goods, but the idea that Canada is a large exporter of the deadly drugs to its southern border has been debunked by several analysts. Article content Trump has already struck deals with the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, and more recently, with Japan and the European Union, which all include a relatively lower level of tariffs in exchange for several economic concessions. Article content Article content Fen Osler Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University and co-chair of its expert group on Canada-U.S. relations, said Canada could benefit from taking its time in negotiating with its largest trading partner while Trump strikes more deal. Article content That way, he said, Canadian negotiators will be able to compare and contrast the bilateral trade deals Trump is making with other countries to get a lower tariff rate, and get more information about the pressure points they could use to strike the best deal possible. Article content 'It's what I call the last-mover advantage,' said Hampson, referring to a well-known business tactic which consists of the advantage a company has when it is the last to enter a market because it can learn from others' mistakes and improve on what already exists. Article content On Wednesday, Carney said Trump's revealed approach is to have a baseline tariff in certain strategic sectors to the U.S. economy, such as aluminum, steel, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber and more, with 'very few relative exceptions.' Article content Article content Hampson said the longer negotiations go on, the more pain American consumers will feel. Right now, they have been mostly shielded from its effects given that companies have either been stockpiling products or making up for the tariff loss in their profit margins. Article content
CBC
30-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Trump officials suggest potential tariff truce with China
With numerous countries facing an Aug. 1 trade agreement deadline, officials in the Trump administration say China could get an extension while negotiations continue. Meanwhile, Canadian officials are hoping for a similar extension to avoid sweeping 35 per cent tariffs on non-CUSMA products.
