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On Friday May 9, the U.S. Industry and Security Bureau issued a draft notice announcing a new national security investigation into imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and related parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This move signals a potential shift toward imposing tariffs or other trade barriers on Canadian-made aerospace products—a deeply concerning development for Canada’s aerospace workers.
Unifor’s Aerospace Council is actively monitoring this situation and has been in discussions since the announcement was made public to assess any potential implications on Canadian aerospace jobs. As Canada’s largest private-sector union and the leading voice for aerospace workers in the country, Unifor rejects any suggestion that Canadian aerospace manufacturing poses a threat to U.S. national security.
This investigation risks destabilizing the highly integrated supply chain that defines North America’s aerospace industry. Canadian aerospace workers, including more than 10,000 Unifor members, play a vital role in producing world-class aircraft and components, while providing vital maintenance, repair and overhaul services, often in partnership with U.S. firms. Any disruption to this relationship will further damage both economies and threaten jobs on both sides of the border.
We are calling on the Government of Canada to engage with U.S. counterparts to respond to this misguided investigation and defend Canadian aerospace jobs. Unifor also reiterates its call for the federal government to implement a comprehensive aerospace industrial policy and stimulate economic growth in the sector through direct domestic procurement as outlined in the union’s aerospace policy adopted last year. Our union will continue to advocate for fair trade rules that reflect the realities of our shared economic interests and protect the livelihoods of skilled aerospace workers across the country.
The union will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as more information becomes available once the final notice is published.
