Donald Trump slaps Canada with 25% duties on steel, aluminum

What’s going on?

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports — affecting Canada and other major suppliers.

The enhanced duties, announced in February, come as Trump considered doubling them to 50 per cent in retaliation to Ontario’s 25 per cent surcharge on all electricity exports stateside.

In response to the trade action, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the federal government will implement retaliatory reciprocal tariffs, worth $29.8 billion, on March 13 if the president doesn’t reconsider.

The latest updates come a day before G7 leaders are scheduled to meet in Québec.

SEE ALSO
• Trump to proceed with reciprocal tariffs on Canadian lumber, dairy
• Employment lawyer discusses impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian workers
• Canada unveils $6-billion business aid program amid U.S. trade war
• How Trump’s tariffs could affect Canadians: 3 key employee rights

Steel industry layoffs already taking place

Algoma Steel, headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, eliminated approximately 20 positions as enhanced tariffs on steel and aluminum loomed.

Spokesperson Laura Devoni confirmed in an email to the Toronto Star that the workforce reduction took place before Trump threatened to double the duties to 50 per cent.

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.

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• 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: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains the difference a legal professional can make in certain situations on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

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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.