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SIU of Canada Stands with Government of Canada on Decision to Impose Retaliatory Tariffs

Canadian flag waving with Parliament Buildings hill and Library in the background

 

June 1, 2018 – Montreal, QC– The Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU) fully supports the Government of Canada’s decision to impose retaliatory tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum, and other products from the United States.

 

The tariffs announced yesterday by the United States on Canadian steel and aluminum products are unnecessarily provocative, and not in keeping with a bilateral relationship defined by strong allies and long-standing trade partners in integrated trade and supply chains.

 

“Canada has long been a secure supplier of aluminum and steel to the U.S. defence industry, putting aluminum in American planes and steel in American ships” said SIU President Jim Given. “The national security threat suggested by the United States yesterday is both unacceptable and implausible.”

 

The SIU of Canada therefore applauds the Government of Canada for standing up for the interests of the Canadian labour community and agree that such retaliatory measures were required. Furthermore, SIU of Canada will continue to engage with stakeholders on both sides of the border to ensure the voice of the Canadian maritime industry is heard throughout these negotiations.

 

We are proud to stand up and fight back in the name of all seafarers worldwide. As always, we are stronger together.

 

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About the SIU of Canada: The Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU) is affiliated with the Seafarers’ International Union of North America serving unlicensed sailors since 1938. The most important sailors’ union in Canada, the SIU represents the majority of unlicensed sailors working aboard vessels on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, on the East and West Coasts. In addition to vessels operated in Canadian waters, SIU members also have the opportunity to work aboard vessels delivering cargoes in the United States, Europe and South America.

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