The National President of Unifor says North America is staring down the greatest industrial crisis in her lifetime.

US President Donald Trump yesterday signed executive orders imposing 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imported into the United States from all countries including Canada. Lana Payne, who heads the country’s largest private sector union, was among those attending a Canada-US Economic Trade Summit in Toronto last week.

Payne says the executive orders are disastrous for the auto industry across North America.

“The auto industry,” says Payne, “given how dependent they are on the parts sector…could be facing a complete shutdown of the North American auto industry within a week….that’s how integrated it is.”

She says Canada has to be ready for more volatility.

Payne calls Trump’s actions a wake-up call and says she doesn’t believe there’s any going back right now. That’s why Canada has to take measures to protect itself, protect its economy and protect workers across the country.