In a recent social media video, Shawn Fain, the President of the United Auto Workers (UAW), reportedly expressed support for President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts.
Announced on Wednesday, the tariffs impose a 25% fee on various vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and light trucks, citing national security concerns.
Fain praised Trump for addressing what he described as unfair trade practices that have historically harmed the American working class and devastated communities across the nation.
“We are ecstatic to see an administration finally address the unfair trade laws in this country,” Fain remarked, highlighting the long-term adverse effects these laws have had on workers in nearly every state.
Interestingly, the UAW’s leadership had supported then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the previous presidential election, with Fain previously labeling Trump a “scab.”
However, many UAW members have since shown considerable support for Trump, indicating a divide within the union.
Chris Vitale, an autoworker, voiced frustration over the region’s decline, noting that while they hope for basic infrastructure like sports stadiums, it’s disheartening to see the community’s potential diminished under political complacency.
Fain’s endorsement of Trump’s policy comes amid a shifting landscape where union leadership appears to be reconsidering its stance on political alignments.
The support for Trump’s tariffs marks a significant pivot for a union that had predominantly backed Democratic candidates.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, sentiments within labor unions like the UAW may prove crucial for candidates striving to win over traditional electoral bases.
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