Hamilton steelworkers hang onto jobs for now but brace for impact as U.S. doubles industry tariffs [Video]

It’s not clear what increased U.S. steel tariffs will mean for Hamilton, but workers and industry leaders agree it’s nothing good.

“The fear is these additional tariffs might hurt Stelco’s customers and their ability to sell to their U.S. customers,” Ron Wells, who represents workers at that steel manufacturer, told CBC News Network Wednesday.

“The trickle-down effect could have adverse impacts on Stelco and our workforce.”

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday applying a 50 per cent tariff to steel and aluminum Americans import. The order took effect Wednesday, doubling tariffs that had already been in place since March 12.

At Stelco — which has factories in Hamilton and Nanticoke, Ont., and is owned by American company Cleveland-Cliffs — Trump’s tariffs have already had a big impact.

According to Ron Wells, president of United Steelworkers Local 1005, his employer lost all its U.S. business, representing about 30 per cent of its work. It made back 10 per …