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OTTAWA \u2014 Canadian steel companies and union workers are meeting with members of Parliament today with the hopes of convincing Ottawa to punch back at U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s tariff hike.<\/p>\n
Industry and labour groups, along with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, are all calling on the federal government to quickly implement matching tariffs to retaliate against the U.S.<\/p>\n
Trump doubled his duties on steel and aluminum products on Wednesday from 25 to 50 per cent \u2014 what amounts to a massive threat to Canadian industry.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government will need to take \u201csome time\u201d to craft a response to the increased U.S. tariffs.<\/p>\n
Canadian Steel Producers Association CEO Catherine Cobden said Trump\u2019s tariffs are delivering a crushing blow to the Canadian steel industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a 25 per cent tariff rate, we saw significant layoffs, curtailed investments and a significant drop of shipments to the United States,\u201d she said in a statement sent to media.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a 50 per cent tariff rate, the U.S. market is effectively closed to Canadian steel, leaving billions of dollars of Canadian steel without a market.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need urgent action to protect our industry by fully re-instating our retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel (to) match this latest American escalation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to double the levies on steel and aluminum to 50 per cent. He claimed it was necessary to protect national security and industries in the United States.<\/p>\n
Carney said Canada is in \u201cintensive\u201d trade discussions with the U.S. about the \u201cunlawful and unjustified\u201d tariffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will take some time \u2014 not much, some time \u2014 because we are in intensive discussions right now with the Americans on our trading relationship,\u201d Carney said when asked about his government\u2019s response.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose discussions are progressing. I would note that the American action is global action. It\u2019s not one targeted at Canada. So we\u2019ll take some time, but not more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he told Carney that Ottawa should add another 25 per cent to Canada\u2019s retaliatory tariffs on steel to match Trump\u2019s levies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t sit back and let President Trump steamroll us,\u201d Ford said at the Ontario legislature on Wednesday. \u201cWe need to act immediately. We can\u2019t just sit back because every single day that goes by, it gives uncertainty to the sectors, it adds additional costs on the steel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ontario is home to six of Canada\u2019s 13 steel plants.<\/p>\n
Charles Johnson, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association, which represents aluminum production and jobs in the U.S., said in a statement Wednesday that while re-establishing a \u201cmore level playing field\u201d for domestic producers is critical, a tariff of 50 per cent \u201cthreatens to undermine the very industry the administration aims to support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson said the Aluminum Association urges the administration to reconsider its decision \u201cgiven the negative impact it will have on manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Industry Minister M\u00e9lanie Joly said she has spoken with at least 10 steel and aluminum sector CEOs and knows that many communities are anxious. She said the government will take a moment before it proceeds with any kind of counter-punch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking at different scenarios right now and we will make a decision, but we need a bit more time right now. Not too long,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Interim NDP Leader Don Davies said Carney should act soon because \u201cindustry and jobs are at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a little bit surprised that Prime Minister Carney needs time. These tariffs have been foreshadowed for some time,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske said the government should meet \u201cforce with force\u201d by imposing surtaxes and blocking U.S. steel and aluminum. She called for emergency reforms to employment insurance for laid-off workers.<\/p>\n
Canada is a major supplier of steel and aluminum to the United States and economists have warned the tariffs could lead to cost increases for Americans. Both metals are used in a wide range of industries, from construction and the auto sector to the manufacture of products like soup cans and paper clips.<\/p>\n
Liberal MPs from steel towns in Ontario were visibly shaken when they entered caucus Wednesday.<\/p>\n
MP Lisa Hepfner of Hamilton, a major steel hub, did not mince words when asked about the impact of 50 per cent tariffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThousands of jobs lost,\u201d she said. \u201cThe end of the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
MP Terry Sheehan represents Sault Ste. Marie, where Algoma Steel is located. He said the industry was already struggling under 25 per cent tariffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf industry goes down in northern Ontario, you don\u2019t just lose your job, which is a terrible thing. You lose the equity in your home when those industries shutter,\u201d Sheehan said, although he quickly added that \u201cwe\u2019re not there\u201d yet.<\/p>\n
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre posted on social media that Trump\u2019s move to double tariffs was \u201cwrong and unjustified\u201d and that Canada must \u201ctake a strong stance in response to these tariffs that gets a deal as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman called for an emergency debate in Parliament on tariffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor steelworkers who say they are on the verge of collapse, for families who are worried about keeping food on the table or keeping a roof over their head, for businesses that need certainty, Liberal ministers need to answer to this House,\u201d Lantsman said on the Commons floor shortly after question period on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia denied the request, saying he didn\u2019t believe it met the criteria for an emergency debate under the House rules.<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 The Canadian Press<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n