The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Donna Robert
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed the finger at former President Donald Trump when pressed Sunday on how the transition to electric vehicles may negatively affect autoworkers amid a strike because EVs require less labor.
“Workers are smarter than that, and the [United Auto Workers] has made it clear that they are not trying to pretend that we can trap Americans in technologies of the past,” Mr. Buttigieg said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Most people who are clear-headed about this recognize the transition to that new technology that’s already underway. It’s happening with or without us. And, under the Trump administration, they allowed China to build an edge in that.”
China has long dominated the critical minerals supply chain used in EV batteries. The Biden administration, under the Inflation Reduction Act, is putting billions in tax credits toward EVs and is proposing stringent emissions rules that would force automakers to produce mostly EVs by 2030.
Ford, which the UAW is striking against in addition to General Motors and Stellantis, has said EVs will require 40% less labor.
“We are gonna see an auto sector grow on American soil where there will be more American jobs to be had. EVs are better vehicles, including in the sense that they have fewer moving parts, they don’t break down as often,” Mr. Buttigieg said. “This technology is coming to the global auto industry with or without us. The question is, will the American workers thrive?”
