Trump’s trade war exacerbates cost-of-living woes for Ontario worker

With the ongoing trade war, Adam Bingle says he is not only worried about how to pay for things but also concerned about whether he will have a job.

Adam Bingle has a lot of worry as the U.S.-Canada trade war drags on.

Following the relaunch of Global News’ On the Brink series, the 51-year-old Cambridge, Ont., resident was one of many people who contacted Global News with feedback, saying he is in a similar situation to those profiled who are struggling with the cost of living.

A welder by trade, Bingle said when he first started his career, he could afford a house, two cars and a kid — but not anymore.

With U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent, Bingle said he is concerned about the impact it will have on his job, which has already resulted in some cuts.

The company Bingle works for manufactures parts for forestry equipment that are sent to the U.S., where they’re assembled and sold.

Bingle said he had been making $30 an hour at a different job, but when Trump came into power the first time and imposed tariffs in 2016, he, along with 300 other employees, lost their jobs when the company lost a major contract in the U.S.

He fears the same thing will happen again if things don’t change.

To avoid layoffs, Bingle said his employer has been moving people to different locations, but even that comes with added costs.