Staff Reports
In a move that has Democrats panicking, GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump plans to visit auto workers who are currently on strike against General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis in Detroit, Michigan. The United Auto Workers (UAW) members are pushing for a new labor contract that includes increased wages and job security under President Joe Biden’s Electric Vehicles (EVs) agenda.
The strike comes after Ford announced last year that it would lay off around 3,000 workers as it transitions to electric vehicles. According to an internal email obtained by the Wall Street Journal, the layoffs will mostly affect employees in the U.S., Canada, and India, with 2,000 salaried jobs being cut at the automaker’s Dearborn, Michigan facility.
President Trump’s decision to visit the striking auto workers has left Democrats in panic mode, with one union adviser calling it “kinda genius.” Democratic Representative Ro Khanna acknowledges that Trump shouldn’t be underestimated and highlights the need for a message that resonates with working-class Americans. However, a Democrat strategist admits that Trump has scooped them by showing support for the striking workers before Biden.
Trump’s visit is likely to gain support from union households and the white working class, similar to his success in 2016. Recent polls show that a growing number of Republicans, now 35 percent, back the union workers over company executives in labor disputes.
While the striking auto workers fear that the transition to electric vehicles could put them out of work, recent projections from the Ford Motor Company suggest that buyers are not convinced of the switch to EVs. In its second-quarter financial results for 2023, Ford projected a $4.5 billion loss for electric vehicles, almost double its $2.1 billion loss in 2022. Despite these losses, Ford’s overall financial situation remains strong, with a $1.9 billion net income and $45 billion in net revenue.
With Trump’s visit to the striking auto workers, he solidifies his position as the leader of the Republican primary, leaving his opponents scrambling to catch up. This move showcases his support for American workers and highlights the stark contrast between his pro-worker agenda and the Democrats’ focus on Green New Deal policies that could harm industries and jobs.
