Steelworkers from the Pittsburgh area attending a rally for former President Donald Trump shared their views on how his steel tariffs have positively impacted their jobs.
The tariffs, enacted during Trump’s presidency in 2018, have been credited by workers for helping to preserve their livelihoods in a challenging industry.
Brian Pavlack, a steelworker who spoke at the event in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, expressed gratitude for the opportunity for his fellow union members to meet Trump. “It’s all about my members to me, you know, meet Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump kind of saved all of our jobs with those tariffs,” Pavlack told the hosts of “Fox and Friends.”
In recent months, Trump has intensified his efforts to secure the support of union workers as he campaigns for the White House in 2024.
Notably, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which backed Joe Biden in the 2020 election, announced on October 3 that it would refrain from endorsing any presidential candidate for the upcoming election.
This followed the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ decision not to endorse either Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris.
During the segment, co-host Lawrence Jones asked Glenn Thomas, another steelworker, why many in the industry, traditionally aligned with Democrats, were supporting Trump this time. “Historically, we’ve all been Democrats,” Thomas replied.
He highlighted a trade case led by former International President Tom Conway against China for illegal dumping, which set the stage for Trump’s tariffs. “When President Trump stepped in and imposed those tariffs on the Chinese, I firmly believe he saved the steel industry, not only in our country but in Mon Valley, where many of us have lived for close to 30 years,” Thomas added.
