The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has expressed its support for President Trump’s tariffs announced on Tuesday, fully endorsing the “aggressive” measures aimed at revising previous trade agreements with neighboring countries.
“Tariffs are a powerful tool in the toolbox for undoing the injustice of anti-worker trade deals,” the union stated in its Tuesday announcement.
On the same day, the Trump administration implemented a 25 percent tariff on most imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a new 10 percent tariff on imports from China.
“We are glad to see an American president take aggressive action on ending the free trade disaster that has dropped like a bomb on the working class,” the union stated.
Responding to the administration’s decision, the UAW criticized corporations for “killing good blue-collar jobs” by prioritizing foreign manufacturing rather than investing in domestic production.
“We want to see corporate America, from the auto industry and beyond, recommit to the working class that makes the products and generates the profits that keep this country running,” the union asserted in its statement.
“The UAW is in active negotiations with the Trump Administration about their plans to end the free trade disaster,” the statement continued.
United Auto Workers UnionThe union also mentioned its role in shaping the president’s proposed reciprocal tariffs, which are expected to take effect in April. This collaboration with Trump marks a sharp contrast to the UAW’s previous endorsement of former President Biden during the 2024 election season.
Additionally, the union leader previously criticized Trump for his billionaire status.
“Joe Biden bet on the American worker while Donald Trump blamed the American worker. We need to know who’s going to sit in the most powerful seat in the world, and help us win as a united working class,” UAW President Shawn Fain remarked in January 2024.
Despite the union’s shift in stance, dissatisfaction with Trump’s tariffs continues to grow among neighboring countries. Both Canada and China have announced retaliatory tariffs on various imports, a move that is expected to drive consumer prices higher.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that these tariff increases would have severe consequences for all involved nations. Mexico is anticipated to introduce its own retaliatory tariffs by the weekend.
“It’s inconceivable that they don’t think about the damage this is going to cause to United States citizens and businesses with the increase in prices for things produced in our country,” Sheinbaum stated during a televised address on Tuesday.
“Also, the damage it will cause by stopping job creation in both countries. No one wins with this decision.”
