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November 15th, 2018

Growing Support not to Sign USMCA Until Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Gone

ESSEX – Growing support for the NDP’s position that Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government should not sign the USMCA trade deal until steel and aluminum tariffs from the United States are gone. Small businesses, industry leaders and unions have joined New Democrats in their call, and even Conservative Deputy Leader, Lisa Raitt, agreed with the NDP that this is the best time for Canada to leverage the U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel by not signing the USMCA until they are removed by the U.S.

“Last week, Justin Trudeau said that his strategy to remove tariffs on our steel and aluminum sectors is for him to miss the photo-op for the signing of USMCA, a deal that he bragged about and that his official is still going to sign. I don’t know what playbook he got this strategy from, but it’s clear this will not change anything for the workers that are about to lose their jobs because this Liberal government did not do their job,” said NDP International Trade Critic Tracey Ramsey. “This is the Prime Minister’s best opportunity to get rid of these tariffs. It is time for the Prime Minister to show real leadership and a commitment to our industries and to Canadian workers by not signing the deal until these unfair tariffs are removed.”

During NAFTA renegotiations, the Liberal government failed to get any assurances that the U.S. will lift aluminum and steel tariffs which impact more than 35,000 Canadian jobs directly and an additional 140,000 Canadian jobs indirectly. After weathering months of lost income, many companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, have been operating at a loss and say that if the tariffs remain in place they will be forced to close their doors, devastating communities and resulting in tens of thousands of workers losing their paycheques and their livelihoods.

“These are good paying jobs. The jobs and this industry support entire regions. And once these jobs disappear from our communities, they may never come back. That’s a risk Canadians cannot take,” added Ramsey. “Justin Trudeau needs to stand up for our workers and not sign the trade deal until these unfair tariffs are gone. The NDP will continue to support our workers who could be out of a job if this isn’t fixed by the Liberal government.”