Sean O’Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, emphasizing the union’s strong support for Donald Trump’s tariff policies. During the hearing, O’Brien reiterated the union’s commitment to protecting the middle class, noting that there is ‘no secret’ about the union’s position on tariffs. He called for a reevaluation of past trade deals like NAFTA, which he blamed for shipping jobs overseas and exacerbating economic disparities.
O’Brien addressed concerns over the timing and specifics of Trump’s tariff regime, acknowledging that its implementation carries potential risks for U.S. consumers. However, he argued that corporations, particularly large companies, should bear some of the financial burden of these tariffs. ‘Take a little less in your own pocket, stop giving more to Wall Street, and just reward your workers,’ he said, criticizing excessive CEO compensation and the preference for rewarding Wall Street over American workers.
The Teamsters, which represent a significant workforce for companies like UPS, also raised concerns about the influx of foreign truck drivers who may not be proficient in English or familiar with U.S. traffic laws. O’Brien aligned with Trump’s recent policy requiring commercial drivers to meet strict English proficiency standards, citing the potential risks of language barriers on road safety. He expressed worries about trucking companies recruiting foreign workers on work visas and training them to operate in the U.S. without a full understanding of local regulations.
O’Brien noted the union’s membership, which includes 1.3 million members, is representative of first-generation immigrants who have successfully learned the language, laws, and obtained proper commercial driver’s licenses. He suggested a potential solution where Mexican drivers could drop their trailers at the U.S. border for American drivers to complete the trip, aiming to address the language and regulatory concerns without compromising the flow of goods. This approach highlights the union’s effort to balance the interests of workers, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in the trucking industry.