Trump’s tariffs hurt the working class. Why are some unions on board?

President Donald Trump’s tariffs have faced opposition from economists, businesses, Wall Street, and most Americans. Despite this, Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers union, has surprisingly supported Trump’s tariffs. Fain praised the administration for taking steps to end free trade disasters that have harmed working-class communities. He explained that fixing broken trade deals, starting with the auto industry, is crucial, and he commended Trump’s actions. However, not all unions share the same view, with some criticizing the president’s tariff approach.

The decline of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. over the years has been attributed to free trade agreements like NAFTA. Unions have long been against these agreements, advocating for protectionist policies like tariffs to safeguard American jobs. While some unions have supported certain tariffs, the broad and inconsistent nature of Trump’s tariffs has raised concerns about their impact on the economy and working-class individuals.

The debate over tariffs reflects the challenges unions face in balancing the need to protect jobs with the potential negative effects of protectionist policies. While tariffs can be part of a strategy to boost American industries, the effectiveness of Trump’s blanket tariff policy remains uncertain. The broader shift in the American economy from manufacturing to services presents additional challenges to reviving the manufacturing sector.