‘Terrifying’: Canadian Auto Workers Dismayed by Looming US Tariffs

WINDSOR, Canada, 4 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Residents of Windsor, the Canadian border city long intertwined with the US automotive industry, had clung to hope that President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian imports would not materialise. However, that optimism was shattered on Monday, sparking widespread fear and uncertainty.

Trump initially announced sweeping tariffs of up to 25 percent on imports from key trading partners Canada and Mexico in February, citing their alleged failure to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. While the implementation had been temporarily halted, Canadian officials had been scrambling to negotiate a resolution before the pause expired this week. Their efforts proved futile as Trump declared on Monday that there was “no room left” for both nations to avoid the new levies.

The announcement sent shockwaves through Windsor, Ontario—a city of 250,000 people and a crucial hub of Canada’s automotive sector, located just across the border from Detroit, Michigan. Residents expressed a sense of betrayal, fearing that factory closures and job losses were now imminent.

“We’re all pretty scared,” said Joel Soleski, 26, an employee at car manufacturer Stellantis. “If these tariffs go through, I could be laid off indefinitely. I just bought my first house… I might have to look for work elsewhere.”

Stellantis is one of the automakers most vulnerable to the proposed tariffs, according to ratings agency Moody’s. Nearly 40 percent of Stellantis vehicles sold in the United States—marketed under the Ram, Fiat, Dodge, and Chrysler brands—are manufactured in Canada and Mexico.

Automobile parts often cross the US-Canada border multiple times—sometimes up to six—before a vehicle is fully assembled in Windsor, where the border with Detroit is nearly invisible in daily economic life.

Fear and Frustration Among Workers

The mood among Stellantis workers leaving their shifts on Monday was one of anger and disbelief.

“This decision makes absolutely no sense,” said John D’Agnolo, president of a Windsor-based union representing 2,000 Ford employees. He warned that layoffs could begin within weeks, and that vehicle prices would inevitably rise as a result.

The automotive sector directly supports over two million jobs in Canada, with 500,000 of them concentrated in Ontario, the nation’s most populous province.

For many workers, the shock was personal.

“These are our jobs. We’ve been doing this for 100 years,” said Ford employee Christina Grossi. “It’s terrifying.” She added that she felt betrayed by a country she had always considered a close ally, especially since her son is currently studying in the US.

Canada’s Response

In response to Trump’s announcement, Ontario Premier Doug Ford vowed to retaliate.

“They want to hit us hard. We will hit them back twice as hard,” he declared on Monday.

Wider Implications

The introduction of tariffs could disrupt deeply integrated North American supply chains, potentially driving up costs for US consumers while destabilising Canada’s economy. Industry experts warn that protectionist measures could also accelerate the shift of auto production to other regions, including Asia and Europe, where manufacturers may find more predictable trade policies.

Meanwhile, Canadian federal officials have indicated they are exploring countermeasures and seeking diplomatic solutions, though the path forward remains uncertain.

For now, workers in Windsor are bracing for difficult times ahead, hoping that political pressure—both in Canada and the US—will force a reconsideration of the looming tariffs.