DETROIT ~ Former United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg spoke to many challenges faced by the U.S. auto industry on Wednesday, along with vocalizing choice words against President Donald Trump following his Detroit visit the previous day.
During a forum moderated by Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz, Buttigieg spoke on the state of electric vehicle adoption, how AI may impact automotive production jobs, and how autonomous cars might impact vehicle ownership. However, he was also asked about his thoughts on a Ford employee and UAW member being suspended after he heckled Trump during his tour of a Ford factory on Tuesday.
The employee, TJ Sabula, shouted a phrase at the president that referred to his association with notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his administration’s alleged mishandling of the release of the files on his investigation. Trump reportedly responded by mouthing a swear word and raising his middle finger at the employee.
“President Trump did literally what I believe he’s been doing figuratively for some time, which is give auto workers the finger,” Buttigieg said. “He’s been a union buster. He has presided over the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country.
“In some ways, it’s just in character for him to be that way. Obviously, my sympathies are with the worker and not the president,” He added.
The topic of EVs was brought up many times during the forum, with Buttigieg discussing how the government could play a role in the emerging technology that has seen slowed adoption among U.S. consumers.
“You don’t really need the federal government to directly make batteries better all day,” Buttigieg said. “But it’s very clear that charging networks, which are kind of the Achilles heel of EV adoption in this country, won’t quite get to where they need to be without subsidies and supports, because there are some areas where the system needs them.“
