The Shawn Fain of the United Auto Workers slammed the North American trade treaty as a “free‑trade disaster” ahead of its renewal. The 400,000‑member union claims the pact has cost millions of U.S. auto‑manufacturing jobs over decades, demanding the U.S. scrap or overhaul it.

The USMCA, signed by President Trump in 2020, grants tariff‑free treatment to cars built largely with U.S., Mexican or Canadian parts. Trump’s administration says the agreement needs reworking before a U.S.-led review slated for July, while automakers lobby to keep the pact intact.

Fain’s criticism signals growing pressure on policymakers to reconsider tariff structures that fuel auto‑industry layoffs. A sudden overhaul could raise costs and disrupt supply chains, squeezing margins across the sector and reshaping investment decisions for years.

Industry analysts warn that a swift change could ripple through North American supply chains, forcing U.S. automakers to relocate production or seek alternative suppliers. Labor unions will likely intensify lobbying, arguing that protecting domestic jobs outweighs tariff‑free trade benefits.