TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Canadian government must be prepared to use every economic lever at its disposal to defend jobs under assault from the U.S. administration, as President Trump escalates the trade war with new tariffs and outright bans on targeted Canadian goods.

"Trump's latest economic attack is part of a bigger plan to weaken Canada's industrial base and undermine our national sovereignty," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "In response Canada must hold the line, stand up for workers and defend good jobs and critical sectors of our economy." 

The new escalation in the trade war will continue to cost jobs, drive up prices and inflict economic pain on workers and families on both sides of the border. Unifor is calling on the federal government to provide support to workers and sectors targeted by the U.S. and to implement long-overdue reform to Employment Insurance.

Canada must also be prepared to match escalation with action. That means protecting Canadian production, defending good jobs and making clear that corporations cannot abandon Canadian workers without consequences.

Unifor is reissuing its call for the federal government to respond with the full force of Canada's economic leverage, including using the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (FEMA) to prevent corporations from simply shifting Canadian jobs and production south of the border in response to U.S. pressure. The use of FEMA would include punitive measures, up to and including blocking or restricting the import of goods from companies that have offshored Canadian jobs.

Corporate Canada must also do its part by standing behind Canadian workers and prioritizing Canadian-made goods and services in its purchasing decisions.

"It's time to look at every product and service and put procurement dollars to work supporting Canadian jobs. Canadians are already voting with their wallets, choosing Canadian wherever they can and they won't forget who stood up for Canadian workers," added Payne.

For more information visit Unifor's Protect Canadian Jobs campaign page here.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor