“We have been clear from the outset that this is an existential crisis that demands a united and coordinated response that meets the seriousness of this moment,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “President Trump has started a trade war that is going to have a devastating impact on our province. We must take all necessary steps to protect jobs, protect workers, safeguard our economy, and plan for the future.” 

“A coordinated approach, relying on a united front between government, industry, and labour is essential to ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador maintains its economic stability and protects its workers and communities from trade disruptions and their far-reaching impacts,” said McCormick. “We must stand together in the face of this unprecedented attack on our country and our people.” 

McCormick is a member of the Premier’s Roundtable on Trade and is playing a lead role in ensuring that the voices, concerns, and needs of workers are heard and acted upon as the provincial government manages and responds to these tariffs.  

The NLFL is recommending and advocating for a comprehensive response that includes: 

·         Income supports for workers 

·         Enhancements to employment insurance 

·         Transition, upskilling, and education pathways for workers 

·         Long-term economic diversification planning 

·         Strategic planning to reduce reliance on American trade markets 

·         Procurement directives 

·         Promoting local and Canadian made products 

·         Liquidity supports for affected industries and businesses to protect jobs 

·         Strong retaliatory measures 

While many of these measures require federal government capacity and action, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador must also use whatever levers are available to supplement federal efforts. 
 
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are no stranger to adversity, and we have always leaned on each other to get through challenging times together,” said McCormick. “I have no doubt that we will come together to face this trade war head on. Unions will be front and center in that effort.” 

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“If enacted, Trump’s proposed 25% tariff would have a devastating impact on workers, jobs, our economy, and our province as a whole,” said McCormick. “We must all work together to do whatever we can to ensure that these tariffs never materialize – there is simply too much at stake.”

The Newfoundland and Labrador economy depends greatly on exports to America. In 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador exported over $7B of goods to the United States. A tariff on this trade and of this magnitude would impact all parts of our province’s economy, not only the directly targeted sectors – people’s livelihoods, public sector funding, community funding, social programs, etc. 

“We need all hands on deck to tackle this issue and workers must be involved in any strategy as it will be workers and their families who will bear the brunt of the impacts of these tariffs,” said McCormick. “Labour is ready to assist the Premier and the provincial and federal governments in the effort to stop these catastrophic tariffs from coming into existence.” 

The NLFL will be meeting with the Premier and other stakeholders to discuss the proposed tariffs, their impact, and how to work together to protect Newfoundland and Labrador workers and their families. 

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