UAW supports tariffs with slogan against NAFTA

The United Auto Workers Union has thrown its support behind tariffs with a new slogan and video titled “NAFTA Sucks.” In the video, UAW President Shawn Fain expressed the sentiment that NAFTA is a broken trade law that requires fixing. This move highlights a unique alignment between the UAW and President Donald Trump on trade-related issues.

While the video does not directly mention President Trump, Fain alluded to Ross Perot’s warnings in 1992 that free trade agreements would lead to a drain of jobs from the U.S. to Mexico. Fain emphasized the impact of corporations choosing low-wage labor over U.S. manufacturing jobs, terming it a threat to local communities.

It is essential to note that NAFTA has evolved into the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) under the first Trump administration. However, it remains subject to renegotiation in the current administration.

President Trump is preparing to announce a comprehensive set of tariffs next week, a move that has been met with disapproval from the auto industry. Ford’s executive chairman Bill Ford highlighted the auto industry’s interconnected global nature, where part components travel across borders multiple times before assembly in U.S., Canadian, or Mexican facilities. Analysts caution that significant tariffs could increase costs for automakers, subsequently affecting consumers financially.

Despite reservations from industry players, reports suggest that auto companies are likely to receive exemptions from tariffs under the finalized plan proposed by President Trump. In the UAW’s video, President Shawn Fain, who had previously voted for Ross Perot, argued passionately for tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturing. Fain criticized claims that tariffs would burden working Americans financially, arguing that NAFTA had already adversely impacted American workers through plant closures and economic turmoil.

In a bid to bolster American production, President Trump has cited how the tariff threat spurred automakers like Hyundai to announce substantial investments in the U.S. Ford’s Bill Ford echoed this sentiment, affirming the commitment to continuous investment in the U.S. economy. Industry analysts anticipate further investment announcements, potentially from the prominent Detroit Three automakers.

As discussions continue around tariffs and U.S. trade policy, the UAW’s vocal support for tariffs emphasizes the need to prioritize American manufacturing and protect blue-collar jobs. President Trump’s forthcoming tariff plan and interactions with the auto industry are expected to shape the future landscape of U.S. trade laws and manufacturing policies.