Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports into the U.S.—if applied to Canada—would be a direct attack on Canadian workers and another reckless move that threatens jobs, industries, and entire communities across the country.

The proposed tariff stems from a Section 232 investigation into whether copper imports pose a national security risk to the United States. This process is being used to justify extreme trade measures without legitimate cause. There is no credible evidence that Canadian copper threatens U.S. security.

The imposition of steep, punitive tariffs under this pretense is not legitimate trade policy, it’s economic aggression.

Canada’s copper industry is a key pillar of the national economy. In 2023, exports of copper and copper-based products were valued at more than $9 billion, with over half going to the United States.

Jobs in mining, smelting, refining, and recycling are on the line—from British Columbia and Ontario to Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Canadian workers have already borne the brunt of politically motivated U.S. trade actions on autos, steel and aluminum. Copper must not be next.

Should copper tariffs be applied to Canada, Unifor is calling on the federal government to respond swiftly and forcefully. No Canadian jobs must be sacrificed as negotiations toward a new trade agreement with the U.S. continue.

Canada must defend its workers and industries, respond with appropriate retaliation if these punitive tariffs move forward, and demand the removal of those already in place.

Unifor will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as further details become available.