Trump bashes Biden’s ‘indefensible’ electric vehicle mandate as president heads to picket line with UAW strikers

Former President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden and his administration’s “indefensible” electric vehicle “mandate” as the president heads to Detroit to picket with United Auto Workers members on strike.

Trump released a statement on Tuesday blasting Biden for his goal to have two-thirds of new passenger cars and a quarter of new heavy trucks sold in the United States be all-electric by 2032. While it is not a mandate, the administration has set targets and imposed pollution rules to reach these goals, drawing criticism from Republicans and some car manufacturers.

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“Joe Biden’s draconian and indefensible electric vehicle mandate will annihilate the U.S. auto industry and cost countless thousands of autoworkers their jobs,” Trump said. “The only thing Biden could say today that would help the striking autoworkers is to announce the immediate termination of his ridiculous mandate.”

The switch to electric vehicles put the UAW and auto manufacturers on a collision course, as many of the “Big Three” factories are jointly owned by battery companies and are not subject to union wage and benefit standards that are in place at traditional auto plants.

The UAW entered its 12th day of its strike, with certain plants belonging to General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis selected to strike. Biden is set to make a historic visit as sitting president by visiting the picket line in Michigan.

The president has argued throughout the strike that the auto companies have not gone far enough to satisfy demands from the UAW. The White House has declined to comment on whether Biden supports the demands, such as a 40% wage hike and full-time pay for a 32-hour workweek.

Trump, who is the front-runner for the GOP nomination and could face off against Biden in 2024, has urged the UAW to switch its endorsement to him. He has stated he will “immediately” end the electric vehicle “madness.”

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“With Biden, it doesn’t matter what hourly wages they get, in three years there will be no autoworker jobs as they will all come out of China and other countries,” Trump said Tuesday. “With me, there will be jobs and wages like you’ve never seen before. Our economy will grow!”

Trump plans to visit Motor City on Wednesday, skipping the second GOP presidential debate. He is expected to give an address from Michigan instead.