Hours after Canadians woke up to news that trade talks between Canada and the United States had erupted late Friday night, reactions to the rupture are coming in.
Just coming off a win in reaching a tentative deal with General Motors, Unifor National President Lana Payne commended Ottawa's decision to walk away from the bargaining table in Washington.
"Canadian negotiators made the right decision by walking away," asserted Unifor National President Lana Payne. "We can't trade good jobs for a bad deal that would cement unjust, industry-killing tariffs. It was clear the never-ending list of concession demands were untenable."
Since U.S. President Trump's second term in the White House began, the auto sector has been under pressure to relocate to the United States. At one point, the American President alleged Canada had stolen the auto sector from their U.S. cousins.
"Canadians must stand united to defend our country against these unfair attacks on our jobs and businesses," continued Payne. "Canada cannot accept one-sided tariffs that will deindustrialize our country. Nor can we accept a bad deal. Instead, we must continue the fight for tariff-free trade."
Before talks broke down, Canadian trade negotiators had appeared prepared to accept a 15 per cent tariff on Canadian-made vehicles and parts, down from the existing 25 per cent tariff.
"Even 15 per cent is unacceptable," said John D'Agnolo, the President of Unifor Local 200, which represents Ford workers in Windsor. "The margins [for sale] for vehicles are even lower."
D'Agnolo has sat in many negotiations over the years, most recently in successful talks with Ford Canada. However, D'Agnolo, like most in Windsor, feel an added pressure other Canadians may not feel.
The relationship between Canada and the U.S. was close. The relationship between Windsor and Detroit was even closer. Many, like D'Agnolo, can recall a time when they crossed the border without a passport.
"I have people that live in the States that go across the border every day," said D'Agnolo. "It's so absurd. He's saying we're taking over your country without saying we're going to take over your country."
Windsor's Mayor Drew Dilkens, running for his fourth term, issued a statement on X calling the breakdown in trade talks "a stark reminder: few communities have more at stake than Windsor."
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, also running for his position again, was more combative, writing, "It is a war that will have economic casualties. We as Canadians have to stand together and unite from coast to coast. Vive le Canada."
Bradley's comment may have alluded to the impact the latest round of tariffs, 50 per cent on $20-billion of Canadian goods ranging from electronics to hockey sticks, will have on local businesses.
The Canadian Federation of Business also sounded the alarm, warning "the impact on small businesses will be immediate and significant."
"The new list of new Canadian exports subject to a 50 per cent tariff includes 18 pages of products that are right at the centre of what small businesses sell," said Dan Kelly, the President of the CFIB. "A full 40 per cent of small Canadian exporters will be directly hit by these tariffs, and nearly one-third of their revenues will drop by 50 per cent or more as a result."
Kelly, however, refrained from directly criticizing Ottawa, saying, "I don't want to second-guess the decision of the Canadian negotiating team to walk away from talks."
Prime Minister Mark Carney has set a deadline of September 8 before Canada will implement its own retaliatory tariffs matching U.S. levies "dollar for dollar."
While warning supports during the pandemic were insufficient, Kelly advocates for a return to talks. In the meantime, "as we did during the pandemic, CFIB stands ready to work with government on ways to offer relief that delivers, including important tax relief for small firms."
The Chamber of Marine Commerce, along with the CFIB, warn retaliatory tariffs will cause significant challenges.
"This development will be challenging for many members of the CMC and their customers, and may very well result in increases in the cost of living and potential scarcity in the availability of essential commodities," wrote Jason Card, CMC Vice-President of External Affairs. "An example of a vital commodity impacted by the new tariffs would be Canadian salt used to maintain road safety in winter conditions."
Many U.S. municipalities are reliant on Canadian salt, and the CMC cautioned that costs will increase, placing "significant pressure on municipal budgets and operations."
