Reports on Friday after United Auto Workers union members went on strike at all three major American manufacturers quoted several of them who say they are disenfranchised because of President Joe Biden’s and Democrats’ green agenda that includes rapid transition to unprofitable electric vehicles.
The mandates contained in two separate multi-trillion-dollar pieces of legislation have put EVs on an accelerated timetable, phasing out internal combustion engines while, as Trump says, empowering America’s primary rival, China, which will supply most of the batteries for said vehicles.
“I’m on the side of making our country great. The auto workers are not going to have any jobs when you come right down to it, because if you take a look at what they’re doing with electric cars, electric cars are going to be made in China,” Trump predicted in an interview with “Meet The Press” anchor Kristin Welker.
“The auto workers are not going to have any– I’ll tell you what,” he continued. “The auto workers are being sold down the river by their leadership, and their leadership should endorse Trump.”
Historically, the UAW has endorsed Democrats for president and did so with Joe Biden in 2020. But the union hasn’t backed him yet this time around, while leaders have suggested they may not.
“The reason is you’ve got to have a choice, like in school. I want school choice. I also want choice for cars. If somebody wants gasoline and somebody wants all-electric, they can do whatever they want,” Trump added.
“But they’re destroying the consumer, and they’re destroying the auto workers. The auto workers will not have any jobs, Kristen, because all of these cars are going to be made in China. The electric cars, automatically, are going to be made in China,” Trump continued.
Welker countered: “So, let’s talk about UAW’s leadership. The president, Shawn Fain, has withheld his endorsement of President Biden. This is what he had to say about you. Quote, ‘Another Donald Trump presidency would be a disaster.’ How would you win that endorsement?”
“Well, if that’s the case, I probably won’t win his end– I don’t know the gentleman, but I know his name very well, and I think he’s not doing a good job in representing his union because he’s not going to have a union in three years from now,” Trump said. “Those jobs are all going to be gone because all of those electric cars are going to be made in China.”
EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of the UAW strike, Kristen Welker asked fmr. Pres. Trump whose side he's on in negotiations.
Trump: “I’m on the side of making our country great. … The auto workers are being sold down the river by their leadership, and their leadership should endorse Trump.” pic.twitter.com/a8UDVvwFm5
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) September 15, 2023
