Electromobility in Danger: Union Warns of Trump's Plans

In the United States, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, led by Shawn Fain, sees significant risks for the labor market if investments in electric vehicles are reversed under a potential Trump administration. Thousands of jobs are at risk, according to Fain, mainly due to the unclear stance of the Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. Vance hesitated to commit to a continuation of a $500 million investment in a GM plant planned for electric vehicle production. Fain, who supports the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, emphasized that more than just a single plant in Lansing is at stake; entire supply chains across the country are affected. For him, much more is at stake than just a single investment. Vance's criticism that Harris's incentives are merely "table scraps" was described by the union president as dangerous for the jobs of U.S. auto workers. Harris, on the other hand, emphasized that no complete mandate for electric vehicles is planned, but rather that consumer choice is the focus. Among employees, there is concern that a transition to electric vehicles could reduce the number of jobs. Harris counters this by pointing out that parts production will also take place in the U.S. The UAW believes that Trump does not have the support of workers in the automotive industry. Fain explained that 65 percent of union members consistently vote for Democratic candidates. He highlighted Harris's commitment to the workforce positively, citing her joining a strike in 2019. If Trump is elected, the abolition of tax incentives for purchasing electric vehicles, which are part of President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, is threatened. These incentives have been the subject of past debates during Trump's presidency and could be up for discussion again.