Tariff Trauma: UAW Dissent

Workers across the US and Mexico are facing increased economic insecurity driven by escalating trade tensions and subsequent job losses, particularly in the auto industry. The article highlights the anxieties of autoworkers in both countries regarding the impact of US protectionist policies, specifically tariffs on imported goods. These tariffs are disrupting integrated supply chains that have been built over decades under NAFTA and its successor, USMCA. US autoworkers are worried about plant closures and layoffs as companies struggle to remain competitive due to increased costs of imported parts. Simultaneously, Mexican autoworkers, who often earn significantly lower wages, fear that companies will relocate production back to the US, further exacerbating job losses in Mexico. The article underscores the precarious situation of workers in both nations, who are caught in the crossfire of geopolitical maneuvering. It points out that the trade war isn't benefiting workers in either country, and that the promise of job creation through protectionism has not materialized. Instead, workers face a shared threat of unemployment and declining living standards as companies prioritize profits over job security in a volatile economic environment. The shared anxieties highlight a common struggle against corporate interests and nationalistic trade policies. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/05/bumc-m05.html