The United Autoworkers (UAW) union said it supported President Trump's tariffs on Tuesday and provided full support for “aggressive” actions attempting to change past trade agreements with neighboring countries.
“Taxes are a powerful tool in the toolbox to cancel fraud in anti-worker trade transactions,” the union wrote: Tuesday's statement.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on most imports from Canada and Mexico, and a new 10% tariff on imports from China.
“I'm pleased to see the US president take positive action to end the free trade disaster that fell like a working class bomb,” the union wrote.
In response to the president's move, the UAW has accused companies of “killing good blue-collar jobs” by prioritizing foreign manufacturing over production within the United States.
“We want to encourage companies from the automotive industry and others to the working class, where companies America want to encourage them to make products and generate profits that will continue to run the country,” the union wrote in a statement.
“The UAW is actively negotiating with the Trump administration about plans to end the free trade disaster,” they continued.
The group said it was supporting the formation that President Trump proposed in April was set to form mutual tariffs. The alliance with the president is in stark contrast to former President Biden's support during the 2024 campaign season. The UAW leader also denounced Trump for his billionaire status.
“While Joe Biden bets on American workers, Donald Trump has denounced American workers. We need to know who will sit in the most powerful seat in the world and help us win as a unified working class,” UAW president Sean Fein said in January 2024.
The union's songs have changed, but the neighbouring countries' complaints about Trump's tariffs have steadily increased. Both Canada and China have announced retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of imports, which could inflate consumer prices.
Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum said hiking would cripple all countries involved. The Latin American country is expected to announce retaliation fees over the weekend.
“It's hard to imagine not thinking about the damage this will cause to US citizens and businesses due to the rising prices of what has been produced in our country,” Sinbaum said during a televised broadcast on Tuesday.
“And also the damage caused by stopping job creation in both countries. No one wins this decision.”
