Unifor, Canada's private sector union, and the Aluminium Association of Canada have expressed serious concerns over the immediate impact of the tariffs.

Donald Trump's increased tariffs on steel and aluminium products imported into the United States are now in effect, meaning foreign importers face 50 per cent levies on top of their current costs.

The United States and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to start negotiations for a potential bilateral trade agreement that could ease tariffs on the Gulf state's steel and aluminium industry, according to four people familiar with the matter.