On April 3, the Trump Administration imposed tariffs of 25% on all Canadian-assembled vehicles exported to the United States. The tariffs will be applied to the total value of non-U.S. content in the vehicle, if that vehicle complies with CUSMA trade agreement rules (we understand that all vehicles built by Unifor members meet that CUSMA requirement). In the coming months, the U.S. plans to impose similar 25% tariffs on Canadian-made auto parts.
We want to be perfectly clear: these U.S. tariffs are significant, and punitive, and will not be tolerated by our union.
Any tariff, imposed by the U.S., on a Canadian-built vehicle or part is entirely unjustified, unwarranted, and unacceptable. This U.S. tariff policy will have direct and negative effects on the jobs of North American autoworkers, now and in the long term. Within hours of tariffs being applied, major plant shutdowns were announced, affecting thousands of workers in Canada, Mexico and the United States – just as our union had warned. We are bracing for further announcements in the coming days and weeks.
There are some in Canada who are downplaying the significance of these tariffs on the auto industry. Canada was notably, and temporarily, excluded from President Trump’s so-called “reciprocal tariffs” announced on April 2 (which are separate and distinct from the auto tariffs imposed today), but that is no reason to be relieved. Canada still faces punitive U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and now vehicles, with more targeted product tariffs to come. Various Canadian goods are also still subject to U.S. tariffs imposed on March 4, relating to border crossings and fentanyl. The U.S. tariff policy is fluid, and constantly changing, with no end in sight. These are not the conditions on which to secure, and grow, our domestic industries. This is not the treatment Canadians expect from their closest trading partner.
Until such time as the U.S. removes all tariffs imposed on Canadian-made goods, the Unifor Auto Council and Independent Parts Supplier Council will stand opposed to these actions. The Unifor National Union, led by President Lana Payne, continues to engage fully with employers and governments – including through the Prime Ministers Council on Canada-U.S. Relations – advocating for policies and programs to keep jobs in Canada, and protect Canadian workers affected by this trade war.
Our Auto and IPS Council leadership stand by the joint statement issued on March 6, committing the full resources of our respective local unions and the National Union to take direct action, to support Canadian jobs, by whatever means necessary.
We know that these are difficult times. Maybe the most difficult we’ve ever faced.
But rest assured, we will get through this together. Through our solidarity, we will continue to build a strong, Canadian auto industry, built on the principles of fair trade and good, union jobs. This is our unwavering commitment.
And if you have any questions, please be sure to reach out to your respective union reps and to any of us for information.
We will keep you all updated as the situation evolves.
In solidarity,
John D’Agnolo
Chairperson, Unifor Auto Council
Chairperson, Ford Master Bargaining Committee
President, Local 200
Emile Nabbout
President, Unifor Independent Parts Supplier Council
President, Local 195
James Stewart
Chairperson, Stellantis Master Bargaining Committee
President, Local 444
Jason Gale
Chairperson, GM Master Bargaining Committee
Chairperson, Local 222-GM Oshawa Assembly Plant
