IFPTE Condemns “Punitive” Canadian Tariff Policy
“This approach toward our Canadian siblings, along with the
Trump Administration’s continued attacks on Canada are detrimental to working families on both sides of the border”
WASHINGTON, DC – The executive officers of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), representing 90,000 workers across North America, issued the following statements in response to the Trump Administration’s announced tariffs on Canadian goods and services:
Matt Biggs, IFPTE President – “Since President Trump assumed office last year and almost immediately undertook a campaign to threaten tariffs against our number one ally in the world, Canada, IFPTE has been quick to condemn the senseless and reckless approach implemented by this administration. The Trump Administration’s failure now to come to an agreement on tariffs, one that is not only consistent with the framework of what the first Trump Administration already agreed to as a part of the United States/Mexico/Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA) is nothing short of bargaining in bad faith. Sadly, the Trump Administration continues to move the goal posts in a way that seems to suggest there is not a willingness to reach an agreement that is a win-win for both nations. Make no mistake, this approach toward our Canadian siblings, along with the administration’s continue attacks on Canadian sovereignty, are detrimental to working families on both sides of the border.”
Gay Henson, IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer – “The Trump Administration’s bad-faith bargaining has, predictably, resulted in a trade war with Canada, something that the Canadian government did everything in their power to avoid. Sadly, negotiating with the Trump Administration is no different from when Unions like IFPTE negotiate with anti-worker employers who agree to one thing on one day, and something completely different the next. IFPTE urges the administration to reverse course immediately and treat our Canadian ally with the respect and dignity they are worthy of. We further urge Congress to step-in now by defunding the ability of the Trump Administration to carry out these damaging and punitive tariffs.”
As an international union, IFPTE continues to support well thought out and strategically implemented tariff policies that are focused on protecting and enhancing the domestic manufacturing base and the jobs that come along with it on both sides of the border. At the same time, IFPTE opposes the punitive and reckless tariff policies being implemented by the Trump Administration against Canada that will do nothing to protect jobs, while resulting in skyrocketing costs for working families.
###