The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s recent imposition of sweeping trade tariffs, describing the move as reckless and harmful to workers and consumers around the world.
Announced on April 2, the tariffs have sparked fears of a full-blown trade war. According to the ITUC, the new measures are set to devastate jobs, raise consumer prices, and slow economic growth in both developed and developing economies.
The ITUC described the tariffs as an “aggressive political tool” used for nationalist advantage at the expense of global cooperation and fairness.
Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the ITUC, stated:
“Workers must not pay the price of an imposed trade war. These tariffs are not part of any serious plan to support working people. The Trump administration has launched a trade war that will put workers’ jobs and livelihoods at stake. It will also lead to price increases, for which workers and consumers will bear the costs.”
While acknowledging that unregulated free trade has weakened wages and labour protections historically, the ITUC insists that trade wars are not a viable solution. The Confederation argued that such protectionist measures would worsen inequality and disrupt global supply chains, especially in emerging economies striving for fair development.
The union also accused the Trump administration of hypocrisy, pointing to its record of weakening union rights, slashing public services, and laying off unionised workers.
Triangle added:
“With his attacks on workers—from breaking unions to cutting public services and laying off unionised workers—Donald Trump has shown that his intention is not to create more jobs but to advance a billionaire extreme-right agenda.”
The ITUC called for a new, worker-focused trade model based on international solidarity, fair wages, and respect for labour rights. It reiterated its commitment to a multilateral trading system that fosters shared prosperity.
As global tensions over protectionism grow, the ITUC pledged to continue monitoring developments and to advocate for the rights and welfare of workers worldwide