Josh Pasek, Associate Professor in the Departments of Communication and Media and Political Science and Associate Director of the Michigan Institute for Data Science, was recently quoted in an article published by Detroit Free Press. The article, titled "Called a 'scab' during the campaign, Donald Trump wins UAW backing on tariffs," discusses the UAW's stance on new auto tariffs, how it differs from the union's historical political stances, and factors that may have inspired the flip. 

Pasek is quoted, "What’s the real risk the UAW sees at the moment, and what are the possible benefits? One strategy is to make it look like they are on the administration’s side. It’s clear this administration will take actions with the apparent intent to harm whomever it sees as an enemy."

He then offers a possible interpretation of Trump's political messaging strategy as a "common strongman tactic, where those in leadership boast of having popular support and claim to represent the people 'against the elites.'" He goes on to say, "The strategy is to divide different groups and put them in a position of trying to get out of harm’s way. If unions seem inconsistent in their messaging, that sidelines any future anti-administration messaging. Are the unions focused too much on the short game or the long game?”