Canadian jobs ‘sacrificed on Trump’s altar’ as Stellantis announces US investment | Canada

Canadian jobs are being “sacrificed on the Trump altar”, union leaders have warned, after the automaker Stellantis introduced plans to switch manufacturing of 1 Jeep mannequin to the USA.Stellantis introduced what it described as its largest US funding push in its 100-year historical past, saying the $13bn money injection would create 5,000 jobs throughout the midwestern United States.Stellantis advised AFP that “as a part of this announcement, we’ll transfer one mannequin from Canada to the US.”Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union representing hundreds of autoworkers, mentioned the mannequin in query was the Jeep Compass, which can shift from a plant in Brampton, Ontario, to Illinois.Unifor leaders mentioned the roles have been but extra casualties of Donald Trump’s commerce warfare.“Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar,” Lana Payne, Unifor’s nationwide president, mentioned in an announcement, calling on Mark Carney’s authorities “to make use of Canada’s leverage now to battle for our auto jobs”.Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier, known as the announcement “painful” for employees.“I’ve spoken with Stellantis to emphasize my disappointment with their choice to prioritize funding within the US,” Ford mentioned, additionally urging Carney “to face up for the 157,000 employees in Ontario’s auto sector”.Reshoring auto jobs has been a central plank of Trump’s commerce coverage.Canada has been partly spared from his world auto sector tariffs via an present North American commerce pact.However the levies in place have created uncertainty for Canadian autoworkers.Carney, who met with Trump in Washington final week to advance commerce talks, has expressed optimism concerning the prospects for a deal to chop tariffs in sure sectors reminiscent of aluminum, however a breakthrough on autos seems much less promising.Reacting to the Stellantis announcement, Carney mentioned the corporate’s choice was “a direct consequence of present US tariffs”.He mentioned his authorities would proceed to prioritize investments “that can rework our financial system from being overly reliant on our largest commerce companion [the US]”.Rafael Gomez, an industrial relations specialists on the College of Toronto, advised AFP that Canada must be ready for a gentle lack of auto meeting jobs over the approaching years.Trump is not going to relent on tariffs designed to make sure extra vehicles are made within the US, Gomez mentioned.“Consider the picture op – slicing a ribbon in entrance of the primary new Jeep made in Illinois in years,” he added.Canada ought to prioritize being an important supplier of auto components to serve US meeting vegetation, Gomez mentioned.Stellantis advised AFP it stays dedicated to Canada.“We’ve got been in Canada for over 100 years, and we’re investing,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement.“We’ve got plans for Brampton and can share them upon additional discussions with the Canadian authorities.”