United Autoworkers (UAW) President Shawn Fain, a longtime critic of Donald Trump, unexpectedly voiced support for the former president’s new tariffs on foreign-made automobiles and parts.
While Fain criticized Trump’s decision to end collective bargaining for federal workers during a CBS interview on Sunday, he praised the tariffs during an appearance at Wayne State University in Detroit, according to the Detroit Free Press.
“Yes, I disagree with Donald Trump on virtually everything, but [tariffs are] one thing I don’t disagree on,” Fain said. “We’ve begged Democrats and politicians for years to do something to rein in these companies.”
Fain, who previously wore a shirt at a Kamala Harris rally that read “Trump is a scab; vote Harris,” and whom Trump suggested should be fired, acknowledged that Trump is the first president in his lifetime to eliminate problematic trade deals like NAFTA.
“I’m not going to say ‘screw you’ just because he’s a Republican or because he’s Donald Trump. That’s not how we do things. It’s about integrity,” he said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Fain through the UAW for further comment.
Last week, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imported cars and auto parts, which could impact domestic brands like Chevrolet, known for producing vehicles in Mexico, such as the Equinox. The company also closed its Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant in 2020.
Meanwhile, other manufacturers like Mack Trucks continue to produce their vehicles in the U.S., with factories in Macungie, Pennsylvania, and Hagerstown, Maryland.
Fain acknowledged that automakers cannot instantly shift production back to the U.S. but argued that companies should not raise prices in response to the tariffs.
He blamed “corporate greed” and pointed to automakers using the COVID-19 crisis to increase prices by up to 40% unnecessarily.
“They’ve made massive profits for a decade, and all they see here is an opportunity… it’s a choice,” he said, adding that automakers like Dodge could bring truck production back to Warren, Michigan, immediately.
The White House welcomed Fain’s support for the tariffs.
“We’re glad that UAW leadership has finally recognized what’s long been clear to UAW members: President Trump backs America’s blue-collar workers, and America’s blue-collar workers back President Trump,” said spokesman Kush Desai.
Addressing concerns over price increases and the impact on U.S. automakers with foreign operations, Desai said companies like Stellantis and Hyundai have already responded to Trump’s economic agenda with historic investments in American manufacturing.
He also noted that Trump’s proposal to allow tax deductions for U.S.-made car purchases would help drive job growth and onshoring without triggering inflation.
“Just as President Trump’s policies did during his first term,” Desai added
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