U.S. and Canadian Auto Unions Split Over Trump’s Tariffs, Highlighting Deep Divide

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union in the United States has thrown its support behind President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico, while its Canadian counterpart, Unifor, has strongly opposed them—revealing a deep ideological and strategic divide between the two powerful unions.

The UAW argues that aggressive trade measures will help restore manufacturing jobs lost over the past three decades. “We are glad to see an American president take aggressive action on ending the free trade disaster that has dropped like a bomb on the working class,” the union stated. However, Unifor National President Lana Payne dismissed this position as “naive,” warning that tariffs will have devastating consequences for both the Canadian and American auto industries by disrupting deeply integrated supply chains.

Experts agree that tariffs are unlikely to bring jobs back to the U.S. in significant numbers. Instead, they could create economic turmoil across North America, increasing costs for manufacturers and consumers alike. Wayne Lewchuk, a professor emeritus at McMaster University, pointed out that U.S. auto workers have faced decades of job losses, wage cuts, and declining benefits, making them more receptive to Trump’s protectionist rhetoric. “U.S. auto workers have not had a great three decades,” he noted.

The division between UAW and Unifor is rooted in history. Until the 1980s, Canadian auto workers were part of the UAW but broke away due to strategic differences. The Canadian side favored a more militant, pressure-driven approach, while the American leadership opted for concessions in exchange for job security. This ideological split has persisted, with Unifor now pushing for “fair trade” policies that protect workers, while the UAW embraces Trump’s push to dismantle free trade agreements.

Industry experts warn that Trump’s tariffs could wreak havoc on North American supply chains, given that auto parts cross borders multiple times before final assembly. Peter Frise, an automotive industry expert at the University of Windsor, cautioned that unraveling these connections would take years and cost billions of dollars. “At a certain point—some say within days—companies will no longer be able to absorb the costs, leading to plant closures and job losses,” he said.

Unifor hopes to renegotiate trade terms under the USMCA next year, emphasizing labor protections over corporate interests. Payne advocates for “managed” trade agreements, similar to the original Auto Pact between Canada and the U.S. in the 1960s, which ensured job security for both countries. Meanwhile, Lewchuk and other labor experts argue that the real issue in the U.S. isn’t trade itself, but widening income inequality that has left many workers behind.

As Trump pushes ahead with his trade policies, the split between UAW and Unifor underscores the complex and often conflicting interests within North America’s auto industry, leaving both workers and policymakers at a critical crossroads.