Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged during a Sunday interview that President Trump is correct in identifying the decline of American manufacturing as a major issue but firmly disagreed that broad tariffs are the right solution to fix it.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Walz said, “Here’s the thing that Democrats have to come to terms with Donald Trump is not wrong in calling out what happened to American manufacturing. He’s right that we saw jobs move overseas. People from my generation were told there wouldn’t be manufacturing jobs anymore, so we all had to go to college and take on loads of student debt.”
However, Walz was quick to add that while Trump may be highlighting the right problem, he’s pushing the wrong fix. “The problem is, Donald Trump’s solution to this is not the solution,” Walz said, referring to the sweeping tariffs Trump has imposed as part of his economic strategy.
The conversation shifted to recent comments from United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain, who surprised some by voicing support for Trump’s auto tariffs. Fain praised the policy as “a long-overdue shift” that prioritizes the needs of working people over corporate profits a sentiment that echoes language often used by Walz himself.
When CNN’s Jake Tapper pointed out the similarity in rhetoric between Fain’s statement and Walz’s own past remarks, the governor agreed. “Yes, it is what I would use,” he said.
Walz clarified that while he agrees with Fain’s general point that U.S. trade policy should prioritize workers he believes Trump’s blanket tariff approach misses the mark. “Now, UAW is right,” he said. “Certain tariffs like those targeted at specific materials like steel can be effective when applied strategically. But that’s not what we’re dealing with here.”
Walz’s remarks reflect growing concern, even among Democrats who support stronger labor protections, that Trump’s expansive tariff policies could cause more harm than good especially if they spark trade retaliation or drive up prices for American consumers. His comments also highlight a key political dynamic: Trump continues to gain traction with working-class voters who feel left behind by globalization, even as critics challenge the long-term impact of his economic remedies.