American autoworkers who backed President Donald Trump in his 2024 campaign believe he’s delivering on his promise to bring back manufacturing dominance.
“I personally had no doubt. The man keeps his word. He did it during his first term, and he’s doing it here in his second. And we’re very happy for it,” the Auto Workers for Trump founder Brian Pannebecker said on “The Evening Edit” Thursday.
“As a matter of fact, his support built every election and got stronger,” he added.
Trump on Wednesday announced new tariffs on auto imports during a press conference at the White House, saying he will impose a 25% tariff on all imported autos, up from 2.5% previously. He indicated the auto tariffs will take effect on April 2, when his reciprocal tariff plans are also expected to be announced.
Trump, who views tariffs as a way to bring in tax revenue to finance his plans for tax cuts while spurring a revitalization of domestic manufacturing, previously suggested that he could impose auto tariffs that run “in the neighborhood of 25%.”
Pannebecker argued the tariffs are a much better result than what Trump’s primary campaign opponent pitched for the auto industry.
“She [Kamala Harris] wanted to ban the internal combustion engine,” he said. “That means, basically, get rid of the auto industry and turn it over to China… now even Shawn Fain, the socialist president of the UAW, has gotten on board. So he’s late to the game. But we’re glad to see him supporting Donald Trump.”
The United Auto Workers’ (UAW) union praised Trump’s tariff decision in a written statement Wednesday, saying: “Ending the race to the bottom in the auto industry starts with fixing our broken trade deals, and the Trump administration has made history with today’s actions.”
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