Justin Trudeau says he’s in Hamilton ‘to listen’ amid U.S. trade strife

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is getting a first-hand look at Hamilton’s steel sector as part of his three-day tour through communities with large aluminium and steel industries.

There are concerns over the threat of U.S. tariffs, even though Canada has an exemption pending the outcome of NAFTA re-negotiations.

During his Hamilton visit, Trudeau is scheduled to tour Stelco Hamilton Works and the ArcelorMittal Dofasco plant, as well as participate in a roundtable with industry leaders.

“I’m here today to listen to the workers, to talk with them, to reassure them that we’re on the right track both on NAFTA negotiations, which is a concern of the president, but also on standing up for Canadian interests and defending Canadian workers,” Trudeau told 900 CHML’s Bill Kelly Tuesday morning.

LISTEN: Justin Trudeau joins the Bill Kelly Show

Trudeau says his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump have been very productive and that the American president understands the intertwined economic relationship between our two countries.

Trudeau also addressed concerns that Canada could be used as a “back door” by countries like China, to get their steel into the U.S. The prime minister said there are already systems in place to ensure that doesn’t happen.