Ontario Construction News staff writer
U.S. President Donald Trump is imposing 50 per cent tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, including construction-related materials such as cement and plywood, with the United Steelworkers union warning the measures could threaten Canadian workers, industries and communities.
The new tariffs, announced Monday by U.S. President Donald Trump, are scheduled to take effect Aug. 19. The measures target a number of Canadian exports, including cement, plywood, particleboard, fibreboard, a range of machinery, honey, flower bulbs, down feathers, cowhides, jewelry, hockey equipment and alcoholic beverages.
The White House said the tariffs are a response to what it described as Canada’s “unreasonable, unequal, and discriminatory actions,” including Canadian tariffs and import restrictions on certain U.S. goods.
Unlike previous U.S. tariff measures, goods traded under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA) will not be exempt from the new duties, according to a senior U.S. administration official.
The tariffs were issued under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930, which allows the president to impose duties of up to 50 per cent on countries found to discriminate against U.S. commerce. The Trump administration said it has not previously used the provision in this manner but believes it has the authority to impose the tariffs.
United Steelworkers (USW) Canadian National Director Marty Warren criticized the announcement, saying the tariffs represent another escalation in the trade dispute and threaten Canadian workers and industries.
“The USW is particularly concerned with the Trump administration’s targeting of Canadian forest and wood products in this latest round of tariffs,” Warren said in a statement. “Canadian forestry workers and producers are already under immense pressure because of illegal U.S. section 232 tariffs and unreasonable anti-dumping duties.”
Warren said the tariffs are not about fair trade but are instead being used as leverage in negotiations between the two countries.
“When countries negotiate and sign an agreement such as CUSMA, each party should be expected to respect and honour its commitments,” he said.
The union called on the federal government to continue negotiations while supporting Canadian industries affected by tariffs and investing in domestic manufacturing, infrastructure and supply chains.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump following the tariff announcement and the two leaders agreed to intensify trade negotiations in the coming weeks.
“I spoke with President Trump earlier this morning. We agreed to intensify negotiations in the coming weeks and the team and myself look forward to doing that,” Carney said.
Carney said discussions would begin “right away” but did not provide details on how Canada would respond if the tariffs take effect.
“We will look at all options in terms of how we would respond if [the new tariffs] do come into effect. That’s part of what we will be discussing with premiers,” he said.
The tariffs include several products used in the construction sector, including cement and plywood. The full list of affected products and tariff classifications is expected to be released through U.S. tariff schedules before the Aug. 19 implementation date.
