In a recent appearance on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Sean Fain expressed his support for President Donald Trump’s tariffs, an endorsement that raised eyebrows given the union’s historical alignment with the Democratic Party.
Fain’s reasoning for backing Trump’s controversial trade policy stems from his belief that the US economy is in a “crisis mode,” and that decades of trade deals, especially the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have led to significant job losses and the decline of American manufacturing.
Fain cited the impact of trade policies such as NAFTA and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which he believes have exacerbated the loss of US jobs, particularly in manufacturing. He referred to these agreements as “broken” and expressed frustration with the mass outsourcing of jobs that has occurred over the past three decades. According to Fain, tariffs represent an important step toward reversing this trend, which he described as a “hemorrhaging” of American jobs.
In his commentary, Fain noted that previous predictions about NAFTA creating jobs were proven wrong, pointing to the closure of thousands of manufacturing plants since the agreement’s inception. He also emphasized that while tariffs are not a complete solution, they are a necessary measure to address the country’s trade imbalance and the exploitation of workers in foreign countries due to corporate greed.
Fain’s support for tariffs is also rooted in his desire to promote reciprocal trade policies. He argued that the US should not be the only country with an open market, and that trading partners should be held to similar standards, ensuring that American workers are not undercut by cheaper labor abroad. He has also raised concerns about the exploitation of Mexican workers under current trade practices, calling for more equitable conditions for workers on both sides of the border.
The UAW’s official stance has evolved in recent years, reflecting a shift in its approach to trade policies. While the union has traditionally aligned with Democratic candidates, it has also expressed support for Trump’s tariffs as a way to protect American jobs and manufacturing. Fain noted that while higher prices for consumers may result from tariffs, the blame should fall on corporations rather than the government.
The union’s leadership has shown a more collaborative stance toward the Trump administration, stating that it is engaged in active discussions with the White House regarding the upcoming auto tariffs. Fain emphasized that, despite political differences, the focus should now be on addressing the country’s economic challenges and improving conditions for American workers.
While some critics of the tariffs cite potential economic disruptions, Fain and the UAW view the strategy as a long-term solution that will boost US manufacturing, create jobs, and elevate wages. The union believes that tariffs will encourage companies to bring production back to the US, as evidenced by major companies like Apple and Taiwan Semiconductor planning investments in American manufacturing.
