Workers in Windsor, Ontario, are facing growing anxiety as Stellantis announced it would temporarily halt operations at its assembly plant due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s new car tariffs. The move has left the 4,500 employees in the city on edge, as they fear the long-term consequences of the 25% tariff on “foreign-made” vehicles.
For many in Windsor, home to Canada’s auto industry and just a bridge away from Michigan, this shutdown is a reminder of the fragile nature of cross-border cooperation that has helped produce some of North America’s best-selling vehicles, such as the Ford F-150. Workers, like Derek Gungle, say the shutdown was somewhat anticipated, but the future remains uncertain.
Christina, a Ford plant worker for 25 years, fears her plant could be next. She expressed deep concern for her family’s future, with the emotional weight of supporting four children, including one in university.
In response to the tariff crisis, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory measures, including a 25% tariff on American-made vehicles entering Canada. However, cars with more than 50% U.S.-made components will face reduced tariffs. In a bid to protect Canadian workers, Carney also noted that auto producers could be exempted from tariffs if they continue production and investment in Canada, easing some of the uncertainty for workers in the industry.
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