Can the union negotiate a resolution to tariffs at the bargaining table?
No. Among the many economic headwinds facing Canada’s auto industry, unjustified U.S. import tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles are the most damaging. These tariffs are an economic policy of the U.S. government – imposed under the President’s Executive Authority.
The federal government oversees Canada’s trade policy and is currently in discussions to review the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade (CUSMA). Unifor is a key stakeholder in these trade negotiations. National President Lana Payne serves on the federal Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations.
Unifor continues to advocate for a fair resolution to the current tariff dispute, premised on continued zero-tariff trade between Canada and the U.S. Unifor also continues to propose measures intended to strengthen North American supply chains, and bolster industrial capacity, including by addressing excessive import sales of non-North American built vehicles (totalling approximately 5 million vehicles sold in North America, or 20 vehicle assembly plants).
