Published Feb 11, 2025 at 4:23 PM EST on Newsweek.com

The 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union, for decades the largest aerospace and defense labor union in the U.S. and Canada, is relieved that President Donald Trump has paused his tariff war with Canada.

The IAM is all for the strategic use of tariffs to rebuild domestic manufacturing, enforce workers’ rights, and stop trade cheating. But slapping tariffs on goods traded between the U.S. and Canada will drive up prices and cripple demand, leading to job losses in several industries across both nations.

When it comes to U.S. and Canadian aerospace trade, for example, the proposed 25 percent tariffs would be fatal friendly fire.

The proposed across-the-board tariffs would threaten the livelihoods and families of manufacturing and other workers in aerospace and defense in both nations, as well as the future of an industry vital to national security, transportation, and innovation.

Our members assemble civilian and military aircraft, build missiles and rockets, and manufacture parts and components. They also provide skilled, technical maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for such equipment.

Our workers have already been slammed by decades of imbalanced and unenforced trade agreements and policies. We have seen mass offshoring of vital jobs in the aerospace industry, thanks to trade policies that treated workers as pawns. Millions of good-paying, high-skilled U.S. and Canadian jobs were shifted to countries where workers have little to no labour rights so wages are low and conditions are dangerous.

The proposed tariffs would be a direct assault on the deeply integrated supply chains that provide the backbone of aerospace manufacturing. The consequences could be devastating: production delays and lack of military readiness, increased costs and, most critically, the potential loss of thousands of IAM Union jobs in aerospace, shipbuilding, and defense manufacturing across the U.S. and Canada.

Why? The U.S. and Canadian aerospace industries are tightly linked. Many Canadian aircraft contain numerous U.S.-made parts. Canadian companies source components from major U.S. corporations as well as countless small- and medium-sized businesses across every U.S. state. This symbiotic relationship also means that Canadian aerospace and defense companies employ a significant number of people in the U.S.

Imposing tariffs on Canada would be like cutting off our nose to spite our face. It would disrupt U.S. exports, break well-established supply chains, and undermine the competitiveness of our aerospace and defense industries just as China is making historic investments to build its own air and sea capacity.

Indeed, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration, Canada is the second-largest destination for U.S. exports of civil aircraft, engines, and parts while the U.S. is the biggest destination for such Canadian exports.

The tariffs would decimate an industry that contributes more than $874 billion to the U.S. economy, and nearly $30 billion to Canada’s GDP. It also supports more than 2 million American workers in good jobs worth an average of $104,577 in total wages and benefits, and 218,000 such jobs in Canada.

The U.S. and Canadian aerospace and defense industries are a rare bright spot—together, we export more than we import. Plus, goods trade between the U.S. and Canada is balanced if you control for Canadian oil exports. These tariffs could destroy that success.

Rather than engaging in short-sighted trade wars, we need a comprehensive, long-term strategy that strengthens manufacturing and prioritizes workers’ interests. This reprieve offers the opportunity for workers and unions from both countries to participate in developing these solutions.

A new strategy requires a fundamental shift in approach.

We need a united front—government, businesses, industry associations, and labor—working together to forge a trade policy that benefits all stakeholders. Workers must have a voice in decisions that directly affect their lives and livelihoods, and must not be treated as bargaining chips.

And IAM’s high-skilled and experienced workforce has a lot to contribute to creating a winning approach. We stand ready to engage in meaningful discussions with our nations’ leaders, share our expertise, and work towards solutions that ensure a stable, prosperous future for U.S. and Canadian aerospace, defense and manufacturing.

To defend our nations, maintain our global standing and rebuild our production capacity and resilient supply chains, we must invest in developing future generations of well-trained workers.

This is not just about protecting jobs. At issue is preserving and strengthening a critical sector that contributes significantly greatly to both the U.S and Canadian economies and national security.

As an election is set to unfold, the reality of yet another unnecessary political race is upon us. The constant cycle of elections, many of which seem more about political maneuvering than real progress, can be frustrating. However, the IAM Union, representing over 50,000 members across Canada, proudly endorses Marit Stiles and the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP).

“We believe Marit Stiles is the right candidate for Ontario. She is not just a politician who talks a good game. She walks the talk. Unlike others who promise to support workers, Marit has consistently shown she is committed to fighting for us. She has our backs.”

The Ontario NDP has consistently proven to be the only party truly committed to protecting workers and their rights. Over the years, they have shown a deep dedication to keeping Ontario jobs secure, ensuring that working families can rely on stable employment. They also made it easier for workers to join unions, negotiate better wages, and improve working conditions. Unlike other parties that prioritize the interests of large corporations, the NDP puts workers first.

The NDP also understands the vital importance of public services like healthcare and education, ensuring that these essential services are properly funded and accessible to all Ontarians.

“One thing is clear: other parties have proven time and again that their priorities lie with big corporations, not the people who keep the economy running and support working families. We have seen the cuts, the attacks on workers’ rights, and the efforts to privatize our public services. It’s time for change.”

The IAM Union is proud to support Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP because they have consistently stood by the labour movement, ensuring that workers’ voices are heard and their needs are addressed. We encourage all members and workers across Ontario to get out and vote for Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP, as they are the key to building a better, stronger, and fairer province for everyone.

“Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we make our voices heard at the ballot box. Let’s make sure that we vote for a government that truly cares about the future of our families, our communities, and our workers. Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP are the only ones who can deliver real, tangible solutions that prioritize working people.”

The IAM Union has represented more than 50,000 workers in Canada and 600,000 workers across North America since 1890. The IAM proudly stands as a leading union, advocating for workers’ rights, fair wages, and better working conditions across a wide range of industries. With a history of over 130 years, the IAM continues to fight for the dignity and well-being of workers, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected.

The IAM Union, which represents workers across diverse sectors such as aerospace, air transportation, healthcare, mining, automotive, hospitality, and more, was proud to be at the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit in Toronto on February 7. The summit, hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, took place shortly after President Donald Trump revealed a temporary pause on his tariff threats against Canada. The event gathered Canadian business leaders, trade representatives, and organized labour to discuss important strategies for boosting the economy, eliminating internal trade barriers, and diversifying Canada’s export markets.

The IAM Union stands firmly with Canadian workers, and our presence at this summit showcases our commitment to ensuring that our voices are heard when it comes to critical issues affecting our industries, communities and workers. For too long, Canada’s natural resources, our skilled workforce, and our positive relations with trade partners have been used against us, especially as the looming threat of tariffs continues to disrupt our economy.

The message from this summit was clear: Canada can no longer afford to be vulnerable to these unpredictable tariff threats. We are a country rich in resources, minerals, and talent. It’s time to look beyond our borders, develop new markets, and form trade agreements with countries that value fair trade over political leverage. Canada’s good nature should never again be mistaken for weakness. The IAM Union believes that by developing stronger international relationships and seeking fairer agreements, we can avoid future economic risks while continuing to strengthen our nation’s prosperity.

In response to the potential economic challenges, the summit highlighted a crucial point: this is a time for unity.

The ongoing trade tensions have brought Canadians closer together, regardless of sector or industry. Workers, businesses, and government must come together to protect good Canadian jobs and secure the future of our economy. This collaboration between labour, business, and government is not just essential but urgent. Without it, we risk losing the economic gains and opportunities that are fundamental to the growth of Canada.

The future of Canada depends on the cooperation between government, business, and the working people of this country. Together, we can face any challenge that comes our way and ensure that Canada remains a prosperous, fair, and thriving nation.

To cut it short, the brief timeline includes these key facts: On February 1, Trump imposes a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, sparking chaos across industries. Then, just two days later, on February 3, he decides to pause the tariffs for 30 days. What’s this game? Let’s dive deeper.

Just three days after threatening to start a trade war, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to pause tariffs on Canadian imports for at least 30 days, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced earlier on his X account. While this temporary delay may offer a brief delay, it begs the question: “How long will workers on both sides of the border continue to suffer as pawns in these political games” asks David Chartrand, IAM Union Canada, General Vice-President.

The reality is, for many families, the consequences of trade disruptions are not just theoretical. They are deeply personal. Workers in both the U.S. and Canada, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet, face uncertainty and anxiety every time tariffs are threatened or imposed. These decisions, made by politicians in negotiations over issues like fentanyl smuggling and border security, can lead to job losses, higher costs of goods, and economic instability. And it’s these workers, the backbone of industries across both nations, who pay the price.

While the 30-day pause might seem like a win, it is ultimately a temporary solution that does little to address the ongoing strain that families face. These workers have become pawns in a larger political game, caught between leaders making deals with little regard for the human cost. They didn’t ask for this instability. They didn’t sign up to have their livelihoods threatened as part of negotiations.

How long can workers and their families endure this uncertainty? Every time Trump threatens tariffs, it is the people who rely on cross-border trade for their jobs that are left in uncertainty. This temporary pause may offer a break for now, but what workers really need is long-term stability and assurance that they won’t continue to be treated as leverage in a game that doesn’t consider their daily struggles.

As this political and economical game plays out, it is essential that we ask: When will we stop using workers as bargaining chips? They deserve more than a quick fix. They deserve security and a future that isn’t at the mercy of trade tensions.

It’s time we demand more stability for those who depend on the trade that fuels their livelihoods.