‘It’s ludicrous’: How steel and aluminum tariffs will impact Manitoba workers

Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson discusses how the Trump administration’s steel and aluminum tariffs will impact workers in the city.

Manitoba workers are bracing for the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Trump’s tariffs took effect on Wednesday, with Canada announcing reciprocal dollar-for-dollar retaliation.

Justin Copp, president of steel service centre Brunswick Steel, said his staff has been preparing for these tariffs for the last few months, adding that this isn’t the first time his company has dealt with U.S. tariff threats.

“We have a great staff who’s been all over making sure things are looked after and secured,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Wednesday.

“Things like bumping up our inventory levels, so bringing in more inventory in case there’s any disruption to supply, and also securing from different vendors.”

Copp said it’s the retaliatory tariffs that will have the main impact on Brunswick Steel, adding that the company has already seen a significant decrease in businesses.

He noted they’ve also noticed the pricing of products increasing due to potential disruptions.

“Some products are already up 30 per cent year-to-date,” he said.

“Time will tell how it all plays out. Hopefully it’s not for too long.”

Hundreds of workers impacted in Selkirk

Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson said about 550 residents are employed by the Gerdau Manitoba Steel Mill, which has been in the city for over 100 years.

He said the back-and-forth of the tariff threats has been hard on his community.

“It’s ludicrous. That’s my word for it, ludicrous,” he said.

Johannson said despite the tariffs, Selkirk’s steel mill will plan to proceed with normal operations.

He noted moving forward he thinks Canada should focus more on interprovincial trade and not be so reliant on the United States.

“I think we’re going to weather the storm. We’re going to get through it,” he said.

“Once the wind dies down though, we have to look at how we do business in Canada.”

Johansson noted the one positive of the situation is the patriotism it’s brought out in Canadians.

“When you see people talking about ‘We’re in this as Team Canada,’ you see the flags flying, the people wearing the Canada hats, it’s something to see,” he said.

“That’s going to be a silver lining that’s going to come out of this at the end of the day.”

• With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé.