'An unjustified attack on the auto industry:' Unifor Local 444 president responds to U.S. tariffs
James Stewart spoke with CBC's Amy Dodge on Windsor Morning
The president of Windsor's largest auto union is responding to news of new U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made autos heading stateside.
James Stewart of Unifor Local 444 spoke with CBC's Amy Dodge on Windsor Morning Friday, calling the tariffs "an unjustified attack on the auto industry here in Canada."
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday imposing a 25 per cent tariff on finished vehicles imported into the U.S.
The tariffs go in effect April 2.
Hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs are tied to the auto sector.
It's Canada's largest manufacturing industry and the country's second largest export to the US, after oil.
And at the heart of it all is Windsor, the automotive capital of Canada.
What's your reaction to President Trump actually moving forward with these tariffs?
You know, the reaction hasn't changed. The fact is, it's an unjustified attack on the auto industry here in Canada. We are not a jurisdiction that has stolen jobs from the United States in any shape, way or form.
The facts are, we have lost jobs just like the United States has to lower paying jurisdictions, to jurisdictions that don't offer the same types of healthcare benefits, the same health and safety regulations. We've seen the same issues. And this really is an unjust attack, and I think it's going to affect the American worker in the auto industry, and it's going to affect the Canadian worker in the industry, both in negative ways. It's going to be very tough time if this comes to fruit.
Yeah, can you share some stories or concerns you've been hearing from your members?
Well, all of our members are concerned. … Right now, it's probably a perfect balance. The amount of cars we sell to the States is the same amount that we buy from the United States across Canada. And our workers know that. So they know that, you know, without the sales in the States, and if tariffs go into play, they know their jobs are at risk. They know the plants are at risk. They know it could happen fast.
What about their mental health?
Well, that's severe when you … don't know what the future holds. There's this cloud hanging over you that you can't control. … There's nothing they can do but sit back and watch and hope for the best and hope that there's a way, a path, to be found through this.
They all want to make a good wage. They're good at their jobs … And this is really devastating.
It feels like the goal posts just keep shifting, making it hard to sort of keep up with the ever changing discussion around tariffs between the U.S. and Canada. What has it been like for you in your position at the heart of Canada's auto industry?
You're right. The goal posts have moved. This is not about fentanyl. It's not about illegal immigration. That's just the avenue he uses to break the agreements we have in place. It's about the 51st state. It's about our natural resources, about our auto industry, it's about what he … sees as unfair trade balance.
And every time, there's a counterpoint or something that defeats his argument, there's a new argument. So it's really, really been difficult. … It's hard to negotiate when the goal posts keep moving.
What have you heard about Stellantis' response to the upcoming tariffs? Any idea of how they're preparing?
The Detroit three generally, along with all the automakers, have been meeting with [U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard] Lutnick. They've been meeting with the United States, trying to make sure they understand the industry, how the industry is interconnected, how this will affect the United States, Canada, Mexico, all the same way. … I think they're still having those meetings trying to figure things out.
We've met with them. We've made sure it's clear to them that the footprint in Canada has to remain, that they have to be committed to their employees and our members in Canada. … They're responsive to it. They understand it. But, you know, they're trying to figure the mess out as well.
Yesterday we heard that Ontario's premier is expecting … the US to ease the auto tariffs. And later we heard that … it wouldn't apply to vehicles that were more than 50 per cent made in the US, and they would start with a 12.5 per cent tariff. And then Doug Ford said that Lutnick claims the lower tariff will avoid plant closures in Canada. I'm just wondering what that all means. … Are you convinced that a lower tariff will keep the plants open?
No.
The problem is, it's very unclear. They're talking about the percentage of the vehicle that has American parts won't be taxed. The other parts of the vehicle will be taxed. It's a very complicated equation.
If you look at the United States, there's not a vehicle built over there – not one vehicle – that is 100 per cent U.S.-made – not even the Teslas that they're bragging about out of Elon Musk's plants in Texas and California. …. But a Canadian vehicle gets – whether it's five per cent or whether it's 25 per cent — it's still going to raise the cost of those vehicles, and consumers are going to look elsewhere.
Do we know how much of the Pacifica or the Chargers are actually made in the US versus here in Windsor?
The company has those records. We don't have that. … We have tier one assembly plants in Canada — quite a few of them that feed the plant. But all the smaller parts that go into that come from all over the place. So the only ones that would be able to find that is actually the OEMs. .
This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity