IFPTE Stands in Solidarity with Our Union Siblings in Canada - Condemns Trump Tariffs on Canada

WASHINGTON, DC - International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) president, Matt Biggs, and secretary-treasurer, Gay Henson, issued the following joint statement in response to President Trump's imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on energy exported to the United States: 

"IFPTE condemns the tariffs imposed on Canada by the Trump Administration.  They are not only irresponsible and inexplicably punitive toward America's closest ally and neighbor, they will cause great economic harm to Canada's and America's working-class alike.  Make no mistake, this action will cause steep inflation for everyday products that both Canadians and Americans rely on, result in questions as to whether- or-not the energy demands of the public will be met, particularly in the northeastern United States, and undermines many critical industries like steel and forestry that both of our nations national and homeland defense depend on.  

"At the end of the day, tariffs imposed can be an important and legitimate tool for enhancing any nation’s industrial policy that supports good jobs, domestic manufacturing, environmental standards and the growth of strategic industries. The Trump Administration's irresponsible and irrational imposition of tariffs and the accompanying hostile rhetoric to Canadian sovereignty represent the narrow interests and views of those in leadership of this Administration, not the wishes of working people in the U.S. nor the IFPTE members in the U.S. who stand in unity with IFPTE members in Canada. 

“IFPTE insists that Congress exercise its power of the purse strings by blocking the administration's ability to impose these tariffs as a part of the funding bill they have to pass by March 14th when the current funding law sunsets." 

IFPTE is a labor union representing 90,000 workers throughout Canada and the United States in the public, private and federal sectors.
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