‘Liberation Day’ in the U.S.: How Canadian workers are affected

What happened?

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on April 2 — a day he’s coined “Liberation Day” — that he plans to:

• Implement a 10-per-cent baseline reciprocal duty on April 5, in addition to higher levies on a series of individual countries.
• Proceed with his recently announced trade action targeting foreign-made automobiles, effective at midnight.

LIBERATION DAY RECIPROCAL TARIFFS 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ODckbUWKvO

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025

While Canada is currently exempt from the latest round of reciprocal U.S. duties, Trump did take a shot at the country’s levy on U.S. dairy products during his speech at the White House’s Rose Garden.

Just hours after the announcement, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution — looking to end the president’s emergency declaration on fentanyl that underpins tariffs on Canada.

While it’s unlikely the legislation will pass, it shows the limits of Republican support for Trump’s vision of remaking the U.S. economy by restricting free trade.

SEE ALSO
• U.S. trade war could cost Canada 160K jobs in Q2 2025, report warns
• U.S. auto duties could affect more than 20,000 jobs in Windsor
• Canadian businesses prefer job changes over cuts during U.S. trade war: Poll
• Canada unveils suite of business relief measures amid U.S. trade war

Reaction from Canadian leaders

Ontario Premier Doug Ford

Speaking with reporters at Queen’s Park, Ford claimed that his team will be reviewing Trump’s Liberation Day announcement.

“Some positive news is that we weren’t on that list — neither was Mexico. Not page one, page two, or page three,” the premier said.

Ahead of the president’s announcement, Ford alleged that April 2 would actually be “Termination Day” for American workers.

SEE ALSO
• Ford warns Trump’s tariffs could cost Ontario ‘500,000 jobs’
• Trump’s tariffs could affect 29,000 agricultural jobs: OGVG

Prime Minister Mark Carney

Carney told reporters on Parliament Hill that the federal government is reviewing Trump’s Liberation Day announcement and will respond to U.S. duties that affect Canadian jobs appropriately.

The prime minister will be meeting with the Canada-U.S. cabinet tonight before meeting with premiers on April 3.

Canadians concerned about widespread layoffs

While Canada reportedly dodged the latest round of reciprocal U.S. duties, economic disruptions caused by other levies has already led to substantial workforce reductions.

Why Samfiru Tumarkin LLP?

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve helped over 50,000 clients secure fair severance packages — recovering millions of dollars for non-unionized employees across Canada.

With extensive experience representing workers in roles at small businesses and large organizations across various industries, our team provides the expertise you need to navigate your termination effectively.

SEE ALSO
• Should I negotiate my own severance package in Ontario?
• What Albertans need to know about negotiating severance
• Negotiating severance in B.C.: What employees need to know

WATCH: Understand the difference an experienced employment lawyer can make in certain situations.

We specialize in assisting non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia — ensuring rights are fully protected.

In addition to employment law, our firm handles disability claims and personal injury cases.

Call 1-855-821-5900 today or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and DO NOT constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a legal representative at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.