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Hamilton steel plant to lay off hundreds of workers as U.S. tariffs prompt ‘survival’ move
The company said U.S. tariffs and weak imports have shrunk demand for cold-rolled and galvanized products, forcing a production shift to Lake Erie.
On Monday, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. announced it will "indefinitely idle" finishing operations at Hamilton Works, resulting in about 350 unionized employee layoffs effective October 9.
Mounting pressure from 50-per-cent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump last year triggered the decision after CEO Lourenco Goncalves warned Hamilton's galvanizing lines faced risk without stronger trade protections.
Stelco will shift steel production to Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke, Ont., while maintaining approximately 250 coke unit jobs at Hamilton, according to corporate communications director Pat Persico.
Cleveland-Cliffs shares declined 9% on U.S. markets, significantly outpacing declines at peers Nucor and Steel Dynamics, reflecting investor anxiety over cross-border trade exposure.
Industry-Wide challenges persist for Canadian steelmakers following Cleveland-Cliffs' 2024 acquisition of Stelco for about $3.4-billion, as ongoing U.S. trade barriers continue restricting market access.