TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2026 /CNW/ -- Unifor commends the decision to stand firm on securing a fair trade deal with the United States despite the Trump administration's imposition of additional punishing and illegal tariffs.

"Canadian negotiators made the right decision by walking away. We can't trade good jobs for a bad deal that would cement unjust, industry-killing tariffs," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "It was clear the never-ending list of concession demands were untenable."

Effective today, the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods under Section 338 of a depression-era act. These tariffs are in addition to Section 232 tariffs already imposed on key Canadian sectors including forestry, steel, aluminum and auto.

"We must demonstrate our resolve with strategic retaliation," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. "We cannot allow the Americans to pit one region against another by opening the border to imports essential to the U.S., while deliberately driving our industrial base into the ground." 

Unifor continues to call for improved income security measures for workers in impacted sectors, strong national industrial policies and strict Buy Canadian policies to protect jobs and help build a strong Canadian economy.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. 

SOURCE Unifor