Autoworkers Union Boss Takes Down Three MSNBC Panelists Over Trump’s Tariffs [WATCH]

United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain engaged in a heated 11-minute exchange with MSNBC hosts Alicia Menendez, Symone Sanders-Townsend, and Michael Steele on Sunday over President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs aimed at reviving American manufacturing.

The clash came in response to Trump’s April 2 Rose Garden announcement, where he introduced reciprocal tariffs to counter what he described as “horrendous imbalances” in global trade.

The measures included a 25% tariff on imported automobiles—such as cars, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, and light trucks—as well as on parts like engines and transmissions.

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The White House cited national security concerns as a key justification.

Fain, who had previously criticized Trump during the 2024 campaign and supported then-Vice President Kamala Harris, acknowledged the potential benefits of Trump’s trade approach during the Sunday segment.

He stated that the tariffs could provide the necessary pressure for companies to bring jobs back to the U.S.

“Now, we’ve been very clear,” Fain said.

“We do believe, and we know, when it comes to auto, when it comes to heavy truck, and agricultural implementation, we know that tariffs will influence these companies to do the right thing and reinvest in this country and reinvest in factories in this country.”

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Fain reiterated the position later in the conversation: “At the end of the day, we believe that Stellantis and these companies will bring work back because of these tariffs.”

Although UAW leadership endorsed the Democratic ticket in 2024, including Fain’s vocal support for Harris and a high-profile moment where he referred to Trump as a “scab” at the Democratic National Convention, many rank-and-file union members ultimately supported Trump.

The shift underscores the enduring appeal of Trump’s trade and manufacturing policies among industrial workers.

The exchange on MSNBC became more contentious when Sanders-Townsend questioned the long-term feasibility and timing of job creation under Trump’s tariffs.

“But here’s my thing… NAFTA was 30 years ago. The situation that we are dealing with right now, and I agree with you, I’m on the side of the folks that said they… did the American workers wrong, absolutely,” she said.

“But right now we are dealing with a situation where it’s not — these are blanket tariffs. We are dealing with situation where manufacturing is not going to come back in two weeks. So what? How, I’m just, I’m really struggling to figure to understand how UAW has aligned itself with Trump on this.”

Fain pushed back, pointing to the long-term damage caused by past trade deals and lack of action from both major political parties.

“NAFTA is still causing us to lose jobs in this country,” he said.

“Our broken trade system is still causing us to lose jobs in this country and no one from either party has been willing to even address the issue for 30 plus years. That’s the first thing.”

He continued, “And we support tariffs as a tool, a tool in the toolbox, not the end all be all. We got to fix the broken trade system. But tariffs are a motivator to make these companies do the right thing.”

Trump has repeatedly said that restoring U.S. manufacturing is a top priority in his second term.

His administration has framed the new tariffs as part of a broader strategy to incentivize domestic production and reduce America’s dependence on foreign supply chains.

While debate continues over the speed and scale of the economic impact, Fain’s remarks suggest growing union support for trade policies that seek to reverse decades of industrial decline.

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