In a significant policy shift, the Canadian federal government has unveiled a set of tariffs targeting imports of steel, aluminum, and electric vehicles from China. This decision, announced this morning, has been met with strong approval from the United Steelworkers union, which views it as a crucial step towards protecting Canadian jobs and countering unfair trade practices. Marty Warren, the USW National Director, expressed satisfaction with the government’s proactive stance, highlighting the need for such measures to support local industries and ensure a level playing field.
The USW has long been advocating for more stringent trade actions against Chinese imports, especially in the steel and aluminum sectors. Warren emphasized that the new tariffs align with the union’s calls for aggressive measures to combat China's practices of excess production capacity, dumping, and trade circumvention. This move is seen as a necessary response to safeguard the Canadian manufacturing sector and preserve high-quality jobs across the country.
The announcement comes in the wake of increasing concern over China's impact on global trade dynamics. The USW has been vocal about the need for Canada to mirror the actions taken by the United States in addressing these trade issues. Warren noted that it is essential for Canada to implement tariffs that protect its domestic industries and maintain competitive market conditions. The union's recent submission to the Department of Finance underscored the importance of expanding the application of tariffs beyond just electric vehicles to include steel and aluminum products as well.
Recent polling data supports the government’s decision, revealing strong public backing for the new tariffs. A national poll conducted by spark*insights, commissioned by Canada’s steel and aluminum industry associations, indicated that 79% of Canadians are in favor of imposing tariffs on these products. The survey, which included responses from 1,815 adult Canadians between August 3-7, 2024, reflects widespread public support for measures aimed at protecting Canadian jobs and countering the effects of heavily subsidized imports.
The tariffs will target specific products from China, aiming to reduce the competitive advantage held by Chinese manufacturers due to their state-supported pricing and production practices. This is expected to help Canadian steel and aluminum producers by mitigating the adverse effects of unfairly priced imports and ensuring that domestic industries can compete more effectively on a global scale.
In response to the government's decision, the USW has called for a comprehensive approach to trade enforcement, including the use of section 53 of the Customs Tariff authority. This legal provision allows for the imposition of tariffs on imported goods that threaten to undermine domestic industries. The USW’s advocacy highlights the broader implications of the trade policy, suggesting that similar measures should be applied across various sectors affected by Chinese trade practices.
