International trade

Unifor Aerospace Council statement on U.S. national security investigation into imports of commercial aircraft and jet engine parts

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 Aviation Council statement on the U.S. trade war

Canada’s air transportation workers were stunned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprovoked and illegal trade war and his inflammatory comments threatening Canada’s sovereignty. 

From the potential for a recession to the reorganization of travel away from the U.S., the actions of this U.S. administration have the potential to seriously impact our industry and the global economy. 

Trump focuses on Canadian film industry in latest tariff threat

U.S. President Donald Trump is focusing on Canada’s film industry in his latest attack on Canadian jobs, ordering the U.S. Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to begin the process of imposing a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States.

"Once again, President Trump is using bogus national security claims to justify punishing tariffs against Canadian workers," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "This is an attack on one of Canada’s key cultural and economic sectors, and it’s nothing short of outrageous."

Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S. vehicles necessary retaliation

TORONTO—Canadian counter-tariffs of 25% on vehicles imported from U.S., which came into effect today, are a necessary retaliation says Unifor. 

“There is absolutely no justification for the United States to impose tariffs on Canadian vehicles. Canada did not start this trade war, but we have no choice but to fight. We refuse to back down and sacrifice Canada’s auto jobs and industry on Donald Trump’s altar,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Unifor – CUPE Joint Statement

OTTAWA — Canada's largest public and private sector unions stand united against attacks on Canadian workers initiated by the United States Administration’s escalating trade and investment war.

Elbows up Oshawa!

Unifor members are putting their elbows up to fight Trump's trade war.

Job-killer auto tariffs the lynchpin in a Trump-made recession

Originally published in the Toronto Star April 2, 2025
Lana Payne

U.S. President Donald Trump stumbling his way through a recent media conference was indicative of how little he knows about an industry he claims to want to protect. 

From the beginning Trump’s tariff schemes for the North American auto industry have been riddled with reasons baked in half-truths and out-right fabrications and misinformation.

Trump attacks Canadian auto jobs with unjust tariffs

TORONTO— With the imposition of a 25% tariff on all vehicles manufactured outside of the United States President Donald Trump has escalated his unjust assault on the Canadian economy and autoworkers.

“Donald Trump has convinced himself that, somehow, the jobs of Canadian autoworkers are his to claim,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We have built cars here for over a century, long before the U.S. was our primary trade partner. I will state this as clearly and unequivocally as I can. These are not his jobs to take.”