Trump says tariffs aimed at making the nation “rich again” bring about “a bit of a disturbance.”
The Unified Auto Workers Union (UAW), which recognized then-President Kamala Harris, President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, praised Trump’s “active” tariff strategy in a statement Tuesday, defending the president from criticism that his tariffs support the economy.
In a speech Tuesday evening, Trump indicated in his address to Congress that he had spoken with leaders of the country’s biggest automaker “who are very excited” about the next tariff. Trump said his tariffs on cars, which began this week for imports from Canada and Mexico, will create a “boom” for the US auto industry. He also reaffirmed his plan to collect more tariffs on other countries from April 2nd.
“Taxes are a powerful tool in the toolbox to cancel fraud in anti-worker trade transactions. We are pleased to see the US president take positive action to end the free trade disaster that fell like a working class bomb,” the UAW said in a statement Tuesday.
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“There are a lot of talk about these tariffs being “disturbed” the economy,” the group added. “But if Corporate America chooses to save prices on American consumers or attack American workers, they don’t want a fair distribution, so Corporate America is blamed for that decision.”
The United Automobile Workers Union praised President Donald Trump’s “offensive” tariff strategy in a statement Tuesday. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
The UAW statement condemned the previous North American free trade agreement, claiming that the working class faces the brunt of its negative impact. “We want to see Corporate America, from the automotive industry and others, that is what we recommend for the working class,” the UAW statement added.
The union said they are engaged in aggressive negotiations with Trump to end what the UAW described as an ongoing “free trade disaster,” and plans to continue to form administrative auto tariffs to benefit the working class.
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“We want to see serious actions that encourage businesses to change their behavior, reinvest in America, and stop cheating on American workers, American consumers and American taxpayers,” the group said in a statement.
Workers will assemble Jeep Patriot and Compass SUV at Chrysler’s Belvidale Assembly Factory, Dr. 3000 W. Chrysler on February 2, 2012. (Getty Images/Getty Images via Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service)
Despite UAW’s support for Trump’s tariff plans, other automotive industry experts remain skeptical of the president’s actions.
“We cannot move our car production and supply chain overnight,” said John Bozzella, who leads the Automotive Innovation Alliance, according to Reuters. “That’s the challenge and the dilemma. North American car rates could potentially increase consumer costs before work returns to the country.”
Concerns that automakers will struggle to pivot with their hats echoed by Eric Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Business. If government policies are presenting change too quickly, Bozzela argued that “years of work and tens of millions of dollars can go out the window.”
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On July 24, 2015, car dealers will be seen selling Jeep Grand Cherokee and other Chrysler cars in Los Angeles. (Reuters/Phil McCalten/File Photo)
Glove’s biggest automaker Rittany has issued numerous statements challenging the claim that Trump’s tariffs are good for the auto industry.
“We are urging the US government to reconsider its decision to impose tariffs that already affect American jobs, economic growth and families across the country,” a statement from the Volkswagen Group said. “Taxes have had a devastating impact on the automotive industry, reducing costs, disruption to supply chains, harm to American distributors and affordable prices for consumer vehicles.”
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Fox News Digital reached out to UAW for comments but did not receive a response in time for publication.
