LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The United Auto Workers (UAW) has expressed strong concerns about the Trump administration’s newly announced trade agreement with Japan, warning that it could disadvantage American autoworkers and domestic auto manufacturers.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the union said the deal does not adequately address long-standing trade imbalances between the United States and Japan, particularly in the automotive sector.
UAW leadership argued that Japanese automakers continue to benefit from open access to the U.S. market while offering limited opportunities for American exports and jobs in return.
“American workers are once again being left behind,” the statement said. “For decades, Japanese automakers have exploited open access to the U.S. market while failing to do right by American workers.”
The UAW has previously supported the use of tariffs as a mechanism to encourage domestic manufacturing and investment in union jobs.
In its response to the trade agreement, the union said the current deal lacks strong enforcement measures and has created uncertainty for manufacturers due to “shifting timelines and moving goalposts.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Japanese automakers are expected to benefit from reduced tariffs.
The UAW argued that this puts unionized U.S. automakers at a disadvantage, as they face fewer incentives to expand domestic production or add union jobs.
The union also raised concerns about the potential impact of the deal on future trade negotiations with other regions, including Europe and South Korea.
It urged policymakers to use trade agreements as a tool to support higher labor standards, including living wages, health benefits, retirement security, and the right to organize.
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