Shawn Fain praises Trump's tariffs as key to saving American jobs

On March 30, 2025, Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers Union, appeared in an interview on 'Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan'. During this discussion, Fain voiced strong opinions regarding the future of auto manufacturing jobs in the United States, emphasizing the historical struggles faced by labor unions and the importance of living wages for workers. He pointed out that the implications of tariffs could lead to job creation, urging the need for companies to reconsider their practices to bring manufacturing work back to the U.S. This matter is particularly pressing given past trade agreements, which have been criticized for causing job losses. Fain's comments come in the wake of the Trump administration's announcement of 25% auto tariffs, which he attributes to an end of what he calls the 'free trade disaster' that has adversely affected American workers. Fain expressed his willingness to collaborate with the current administration despite having campaigned against Trump in the previous elections, stating that the UAW focuses on results rather than party politics. He goes on to assert that his organization is not dedicated to any one political group as their main concern is securing good jobs for workers. Fain also noted the severe implications of anti-union policies within the public sector—deeming actions to strip bargaining rights as detrimental compared to past political events in labor history. He articulated that while there may be concerns with Trump’s political stance with public unions, the alignment on tariffs is a current priority for the UAW. The discussion concluded with Fain recognizing the long history of union struggles in relation to these economic policies and the ongoing need for protective measures that ensure fairness for American workers.