UAW president Shawn Fain says "tariffs are a tool in the toolbox" in helping auto workers

Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers Union, praised President Trump's move to impose tariffs on vehicles and auto parts imported into the U.S., while noting that "tariffs aren't the total solution."

"Tariffs are a tool in the toolbox to get these companies to do the right thing, and the intent behind it is to bring jobs back here, and, you know, invest in the American workers," Fain told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett in an interview that aired Sunday on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."

Mr. Trump announced the 25% tariffs last week, which he said will take effect on April 2, escalating his administration's effort to boost domestic manufacturers through aggressive trade measures. Fain, who leads the 400,000-member union that went on a 46-day strike in 2023, called the tariffs a "motivator," noting that "we have to fix the broken trade laws." And he urged that if jobs are going to be brought back to the U.S., they need to be "good paying union jobs that set standards."