‘These attacks hurt Brampton’: Mayor sounds alarm over new U.S. tariffs

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says the latest round of U.S. tariffs announced by President Donald Trump will inflict more economic pain on the city, warning that Brampton’s auto industry and thousands of related jobs remain at risk.

Speaking in an interview with CP24, Brown said Brampton has already experienced the consequences of the ongoing trade dispute with the United States.

“These attacks by Donald Trump on the Canadian economy hurt. They hurt communities like Brampton,” Brown said. “We’ve already lost our Stellantis plant to the U.S. Three thousand auto jobs gone.”

Brown said the future of the former Stellantis assembly plant remains uncertain, adding the company has suggested the jobs could return if tariffs are eventually lifted.

His comments came a day after Trump announced new 50 per cent tariffs on a broad range of Canadian imports, including products tied to the auto, alcohol and dairy sectors. The tariffs, which are scheduled to take effect Aug. 19, are being imposed under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930. Energy products, potash, critical minerals and some other goods are exempt.

Brown backed Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s position that Canada should respond with matching tariffs.

“I agree with the Premier when he says dollar for dollar, tariff on tariffs,” Brown said. “I think we spent too long trying to placate and please this president.”

The mayor argued the tariffs amount to a tax on consumers that will increase prices on both sides of the border while making North America less competitive.

“They’re taxes on everything,” Brown said. “It’s going to drive the cost of everything up. It makes North America less competitive.”

Brown said Brampton is particularly vulnerable because of its large automotive manufacturing sector. In addition to uncertainty surrounding the Stellantis facility, he noted the city is home to eight Magna manufacturing plants and many auto parts suppliers.

“For every auto job, we know there are three or four associated jobs,” Brown said. “This pain is going to continue with this difficult trade relationship right now.”

To lessen the impact, Brown said the city has spent the past year helping local businesses diversify into new markets and industries.

He pointed to Brampton companies that have expanded into the defence and aerospace sectors, including firms securing work with NATO, NASA and the European Space Agency. He also said the city has created programs to help tariff-affected businesses identify new export markets and adopt artificial intelligence to improve productivity.

“We are pivoting the best we can in this period of adversity because we know Canadians are resilient, our businesses are innovative, and when faced with challenges, we know we can overcome them,” Brown said.

Brown also argued Canada has become too dependent on the U.S. as a trading partner and said expanding trade relationships with other countries will be essential if the tariff dispute continues.