- Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers union, applauded President Donald Trump’s move to levy 25% tariffs on all imported automobiles. However, Fain said it can’t stop there.
- Fain aims to ensure American auto workers receive fair pay as more jobs return to the U.S.
- Trump’s tariffs will take effect on Wednesday, April 2.
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With President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on all imported automobiles set to take effect on Wednesday, April 2, the United Auto Workers union president praised the move.
What did the UAW president say?
UAW President Shawn Fain appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday morning, March 30. Fain said the tariffs are a “tool” he hopes will help bring auto manufacturing back to the U.S. However, he also emphasized that the efforts cannot stop there.
“If they’re going to bring jobs back here, you know, they need to be life-sustaining jobs where people can make a good wage, a living wage, have adequate health care and have a retirement security and not have to work seven days a week or multiple jobs, just to scrape to get by, paycheck to paycheck,” Fain said.
How does that align with the Trump administration’s views?
Fain’s remarks aligned with Trump’s views, as well as those of his economic advisers.
While they acknowledged that the tariffs may cause some economic disruption in the short term, they believe they will ultimately benefit the country significantly in the long run.
Still, many economists fear the tariffs will raise costs and spur a recession in the U.S.
What about concerns over rising prices?
NBC News anchor Kristen Welker said that on Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” she spoke with Trump on the phone about the possibility of tariffs causing auto prices to rise. She reported that the president said he “couldn’t care less” if foreign automakers raised prices, saying it would lead more people to start buying American cars.
Automakers’ stocks have tumbled since Trump’s tariff announcement, affecting even U.S. manufacturers, as supply chains span across North America.
