PITTSBURGH—United Steelworkers International says it supports the steel and aluminum tariffs that President Donald Trump implemented Feb. 10, with the exception of the inclusion of Canada.
"Steel and aluminum serve as the backbone of our critical infrastructure and national security, and strong domestic industries have for generations enabled our nation to build bridges, supply power, outfit our military and more," USW President David McCall said the same day the 25-percent, no-exception steel and aluminum tariffs were announced. "Our union welcomes President Donald Trump's efforts to contain the global overcapacity that has for too long enabled bad actors like China to flood the global market with its unfairly traded products, resulting in surging imports into the United States, especially from Mexico.
"At the same time, we must distinguish between trusted trade partners, like Canada, and those who are seeking to undercut our industries as they work to dominate the global market."
According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, the U.S. imports most of its steel from Canada, Mexico and Brazil, with very little actually coming from China, the world's largest producer of steel.
And while the U.S. is not nearly the manufacturer that China is, both the U.S. and Europe are enormous consumers of steel.
In this respect, Chinese steel does enter the U.S. through Mexico, the AISI states.
"Canada is not the problem," McCall said. "Indeed, Canada has taken steps to coordinate their trade policies with the U.S. to respond to unfair foreign trade, and applying across-the-board tariffs ultimately hurts workers on both sides of the border."
In the week ending Feb. 8, domestic steel production was down 3 percent year over year, at 1.68 million net tons against 1.73 million net tons on Feb. 8, 2024, according to the AISI.
"While our union absolutely views tariffs as one of many important tools we need to employ to rebalance our trade relationships, we urge a measured approach that both strengthens our manufacturing sector and accounts for our relationships with our allies, like Canada, who play by the rules," McCall said.
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries.
Rubber News reached out to NIBA, the Belting Association; MEMA; and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association for comment.
While NIBA said it is not taking a position on the tariffs, MEMA and USTMA did not immediately return correspondence seeking comment.
