Last week, tens of thousands of auto workers across the United States went on strike against General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis, demanding higher wages and job security. As the strike continues, workers and industry experts are pointing fingers at President Joe Biden and his ambitious electric vehicle (EV) mandates as one of the main reasons for the labor dispute.
On Tuesday, President Biden visited members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union who are on strike in Wayne County, Michigan. However, during his brief 12-minute visit, he failed to mention his EV agenda or attempt to convince the workers that it would benefit them.
Biden’s EV mandates, which aim to electrify most new vehicles within a decade or so, are partly responsible for the strike and the high inflation that workers are experiencing. As Breitbart News Economics Editor John Carney points out, the rush to embrace EVs will result in a rapid decline in jobs for auto workers, as electric cars require fewer people to build compared to gas-fueled cars.
This issue has not gone unnoticed by the UAW, who have included wage increases and job security as top demands in their negotiations with the Big Three automakers. They have also expressed concerns about the EV mandates leading to a decrease in jobs for auto workers, as many proposed green manufacturing plants are located in anti-union, right-to-work states.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) has also slammed Biden’s EV mandates, warning that they will ultimately offshore the U.S. auto industry to China. China currently dominates the EV supply chain, controlling critical components like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, as well as the parts needed to make an EV battery. This means that even if EVs are produced in the U.S., they will likely contain parts sourced from China.
Former President Donald Trump has also criticized Biden’s policies, calling them a threat to the U.S. auto industry. He has pointed out that by transitioning to EV production, the U.S. will lose jobs to China, where most EVs are currently being produced.
As the strike continues, workers are becoming increasingly frustrated with Biden’s lack of acknowledgement of their concerns. Many are questioning the fairness of being asked to sacrifice their jobs for the sake of climate change, while other industries and countries continue to contribute to global pollution.
Meanwhile, the true impacts of Biden’s EV mandates remain to be seen. If the U.S. auto industry shifts offshore, it will not only mean fewer jobs for American workers but also a loss of American control in a crucial industry. With Trump planning to visit with UAW members this week, the debate over Biden’s EV mandates and their potential consequences for the auto industry and its workers is likely to escalate.
