To : Local Union Presidents and Recording Secretaries, National Executive Board, National Staff
This has been a tumultuous week as elected officials, businesses, and our union reacted to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s bombshell threat to impose a 25% tariff on every item exported from Canada.
Trump linked the threatened tariff to issues relating to the flow of migrants and fentanyl across the border, but the reality is that this is about jobs – our jobs – and Trump’s goal to divert investment from Canada to the U.S.
Unifor is ready to face this challenge. Our union will be the voice of workers and the advocate for good jobs in the difficult days ahead.
Unifor leadership has spent the week speaking to employers and political leaders to discuss the Trump threat. I am encouraged by my conversation with Ontario Premier Doug Ford on the serious impact that tariffs would have on workers and the leverage that Canada can employ to protect jobs and industries and to build a resilient economy for the future.
We have publicly called for all elected representatives at the federal and provincial levels to put aside their partisan politics and come together in the only fight that matters – the fight to protect our jobs, our industries, and our economy.
This message was amplified in a series of media interviews in which Unifor made it clear that Canadian workers will not be left behind.
While some dismiss the threat as an opening bargaining tactic ahead of the 2026 review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the reality is that Trump will continue to attempt to pressure, intimidate and coerce Canada to try to get his way.
Our union has already submitted recommendations to the federal government on the CUSMA review and stands ready to advocate for the pro-worker changes that are required.
Now is the time for us to step up as a nation to make sure that we are doing everything possible to protect Canadian jobs and industries.
For more information on Unifor’s work visit our trade issues webpage here.
In solidarity,
Lana Payne
National President
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