No optimism for Canadian steel industry as Trump tariffs incoming

There are less than two days to go before U.S. President Donald Trump’s massive tariffs hit the Hamilton steel industry, along with steelmakers in the rest of Canada, and there were no signs of optimism today that Canada will be able to avoid these tariffs.

Trump’s 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum are due to come into effect Wednesday.

With 24,000 jobs directly employed in manufacturing in Hamilton,  many of those in steel, the impact could be worse here than in other parts of the country.

Hamilton was part of two delegations in Washington last week fighting the tariffs but so far it’s not clear whether they’re being heard.

The mayor and the chamber of commerce both note that there was a change in the tariffs while they were in Washington.

The President delayed some of his tariffs until April 2nd but not the steel tariffs.