US Canada trade tariffs are once again under scrutiny. Two of North America’s largest labor unions have sent a joint letter to the United States Trade Representative, asking him to rethink the ongoing tariff regime against Canadian imports. The message is clear: Canada is not the problem, and continued tariffs risk damaging a relationship built on decades of cooperation.

The letter comes at a tense moment. Canada and the U.S. have been locked in a prolonged trade war for over a year. As a result, workers on both sides of the border are feeling the pressure of shifting policy.

Unions Call For A Different Approach On Canada

The letter was addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. It was penned by United Steelworkers’ International president Roxanne Brown and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International president Brian Bryant. Together, these two unions represent around 1.45 million workers across North America.

In the letter, the union leaders describe the current trade relationship as one “marked more by division than co-operation.” That phrase captures the frustration many industry voices have expressed in recent months.

Unlike other trading partners, the letter argues that Canada shares similar values with the U.S. on labor and environmental standards. According to the letter, “unlike our trade relationship with Mexico, U.S.-Canada trade is more balanced with wage, labor, environmental and other key issues that are aligned and compatible.”

The unions also stressed where the real competitive threat lies. As the letter states, “our priority must be to align our trade policies to address the challenges posed by unfair and predatory trade practices of countries like China, not to drive a further wedge between our nations.”

A Year Of Escalating Tariffs

Before winning a second term, Trump promised tariffs on imports from both Canada and Mexico. Since then, he has followed through with wide-ranging levies on softwood, steel, copper, and autos. Consequently, several Canadian industries have already felt the financial strain.

Additionally, as the three countries continue negotiating the future of their free trade agreement, Trump has floated new tariffs on cement, hockey sticks, honey, and other goods. He has even referenced possible fees tied to wildfire smoke drifting across the border. In short, the list of contested issues keeps growing.

Meanwhile, the unions insist they are not opposed to every trade action. Instead, they support a more targeted strategy. As their letter puts it, “our unions have supported several of the administration’s trade actions. We will continue our work to abandon the outdated and misguided free trade orthodoxy in favor of trade policies that address the reality of markets and the policies of many of our competitors.”

However, they also drew a clear line. The letter adds, “we must also speak out against policies that undermine our ability to strengthen our economic and national security. Canada has been a trusted and valued partner for decades.”

The Numbers Behind The Trade Relationship

Trade data highlights just how significant this relationship is. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States imported US$412 billion worth of goods from Canada in 2024. The following year, that figure dropped to US$382 billion.

From January to May 2026 alone, Canadian exports to the U.S. reached US$163 billion. These figures show why any disruption to US Canada trade tariffs policy carries such weight for both economies.

Meanwhile, details remain scarce about Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s most recent visit to Washington, D.C. Little information has been shared publicly, leaving many observers uncertain about where negotiations currently stand.

Renegotiated Deal Should Close Disparities: UAW

The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, known as CUSMA, remains a hot topic among American labor groups. The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, or UAW, represents more than 400,000 active workers across all three countries.

In November 2025, the UAW sent its own letter to the U.S. trade representative’s office. In that letter, the union argued that a renegotiated CUSMA should “fundamentally change how trade works.”

The UAW’s language was pointed. Their letter stated that “free trade has caused a crisis in blue-collar America, foreclosing a lifetime of opportunity for millions of people across the country. The loss of good union jobs translates into divorce, suicide, and deaths of despair, while entire communities are gutted and families are ripped apart.”

Wage growth is a central part of that argument. Data included in the UAW letter shows that wages in Mexico have not kept pace with wage growth in the U.S. and Canada. As a result, companies have been incentivized to relocate operations south of the border.

The letter explained that this disparity encouraged companies to “close U.S. plants and relocate to poverty-wage facilities south of the border, harming workers everywhere.” Furthermore, the union argued that free trade gives corporations “the power to pit workers all over the world against each other.”

Looking ahead, the UAW wants any renegotiated deal to prioritize American job security. It should also strengthen labor rights across the continent and set minimum standards for wages, health, and workplace safety.

What This Means Going Forward

Taken together, these letters reveal a shifting mood among North American labor unions. Rather than defending free trade in its current form, many union leaders now want targeted reform. Their focus is on protecting workers while still confronting practices from countries like China.

For now, the debate over US Canada trade tariffs shows no sign of slowing down. As negotiations continue behind closed doors, unions on both sides of the issue are making their positions known publicly, hoping to shape whatever comes next.