UAW President Shawn Fain supports strategic auto tariffs to restore domestic jobs; union leader says General Motors, Ford and Stellantis could add 50,000 jobs by reaching full plant capacity

April 11, 2025 (MLive.com (MI)) –

DETROIT, MI – United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain took to social media to outline the union’s stance on tariffs and the role of unions in protecting worker rights.

The UAW president defined the union’s position on tariffs, trade policies and the political moment that autoworkers find themself in just months into President Donald Trump’s second term in a livestream on social media on April 10 .

The United States is going through two major transformations, both in our economic system and political systems, Fain said. Both come with implications for workers everywhere, Fain said.

Fain argued free trade has been a “disaster” for American workers, which had led to job losses, depressed wages and the decline in quality of life for many.

Corporations have benefited from exploiting cheaper labor markets abroad while the American workers have suffered the consequences, Fain said.

“In our view, tariffs are a tool in the toolbox,” Fain said. Tariffs must be well-designed and paired with other policies and changes to be effective, he said.

Fain believes strategic tariffs can help restore tens of thousands of jobs at General Motors , Ford and Stellantis within current operating capacities.

Lastly, Fain emphasized that the Big Three automakers can afford to make these changes, and union workers should not accept any other answer.

The United States currently has excess auto capacity and could bring back tens of thousands of jobs immediately, Fain said. General Motors , Ford and Stellantis could add 50,000 jobs alone just by reaching 100 percent capacity at existing active plants, Fain said.

While the UAW does support some use of tariffs on auto manufacturing and similar industries, it does not support the use of tariffs for political games about immigration and fentanyl or “chaotic” tariffs on all countries.

“The difference is the auto tariffs are designed for a specific purpose,” Fain said.

The UAW president criticized the Trump administration for its attacks on labor rights and civil liberties but also acknowledged that it is the first administration to attempt to address the negative impacts of free trade.

“We are not Democrats , we are not Republicans , we are trade unions,” Fain said. “... We have to end this free trade disaster, and we don’t care if it’s a Democrat or a Republican who ends it.”

Fain emphasized the need for a renegotiated trade deal, specifically the United States , Mexico , Canada agreement, to prioritize American jobs and ensure fair wages for workers in each country.

“It wasn’t corporate America that built the American dream. It was a labor movement. And it’s a labor movement that will save the American dream,” Fain said.

See Fain’s full statement at this link.

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