Sault Ste. Marie slams Trump’s 50% steel tariffs as ‘illegal’

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Officials in Sault Ste. Marie say U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to double steel tariffs to 50 per cent, is harmful to both Canadian and American workers.

The new tariffs, set to take effect June 4, drew sharp criticism from local leaders who warn of economic fallout.

“This will be yet another big jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers,” Trump declared in a social media post, framing the tariffs as a victory for U.S. industry.

But Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan said the new tariffs are “illegal.”

“These tariffs are arbitrary, illegal, and completely unjustified,” Sheehan said.

“They threaten to further damage the vital relationship between our two countries and will raise costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.”

Mayor Matthew Shoemaker called the tariffs a “needless escalation of a pointless trade war.”

He pointed to past economic damage, saying, “Trump’s 2018 steel tariffs increased costs of U.S.-manufactured products, making them more expensive. The results were an overall loss of 75,000 American jobs.”

Sheehan emphasized Canada’s readiness to retaliate.

“We will fight, protect, and invest. Every dollar collected through counter-tariffs will be reinvested directly into supporting our steelworkers.”

With Sault Ste. Marie’s economy reliant on steel production, officials urged swift action to defend the industry.

“Canada’s workers, unions, businesses, and government are united,” Sheehan said.

“We will keep fighting until every last tariff is lifted.”

You can view Sheehan’s full statement here.

With files from the Associated Press