Hamilton steelworkers brace for business slowdown with Trump’s 25% tariffs

Steelworkers in Hamilton are bracing themselves for tough times ahead as President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all aluminum and steel entering the U.S. Workers at Stelco and National Steel Car in the Ontario city are hopeful that measures will be put in place to protect them from bearing the brunt of any economic slowdown, such as union protections.

Tony McLaughlin, a long-time employee at Stelco, expressed concern about the impact the tariffs will have on business in Hamilton. “It’s going to hurt business. We’re already on short orders,” he said. However, McLaughlin also mentioned that the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1005 recently negotiated a strong contract with Stelco’s new owner, Cleveland Cliffs, that they believe will prevent layoffs.

USW Local 1005 president Ron Wells echoed McLaughlin’s sentiments, stating that their members are not panicking and are hopeful that the union protections in place will help mitigate the impact of the tariffs. However, experts warn that the broader impact of the steel-aluminum tariffs will be felt across manufacturing industries, including shipbuilding and automaking, and will affect workers on both sides of the border.

Canada’s largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal Dofasco, located in Hamilton, along with industry giant Stelco, will be hard hit by the tariffs. Cleveland Cliffs, which operates on both sides of the border, has not commented on Trump’s latest tariffs. McMaster University’s Marvin Ryder criticized the move, questioning where the U.S. will get aluminum and steel if not from Canada, its closest ally.

Goran Calic, an associate professor at McMaster University, believes that the government will likely subsidize the steel industry in the short term until a deal is reached. Otherwise, the impacts could be devastating, with one lost steel job leading to six other job losses elsewhere in the economy, according to Calic.

Workers at National Steel Car, which manufactures railcars and exports them to the U.S., are also concerned about potential layoffs. Jose Quesada and Derek Rice expressed uncertainty about the future, with rumors swirling about job losses. USW Local 7135 president Frank Crowder emphasized the ripple effect of layoffs, affecting not only the workers but their families and the community as well.

As the steelworkers in Hamilton prepare for the impact of the tariffs, they remain hopeful that measures will be put in place to support them during these challenging times. The uncertainty looms large, but the resilience and solidarity of the workers provide a beacon of hope in the face of economic uncertainty.