Pennsylvania Factory Workers Sour on Tariffs as Layoffs Mount

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — Workers at a pet food factory here expected President Donald Trump’s tariffs to bring manufacturing jobs back. Instead, Post Holdings cut 160 jobs at the plant, and a neighboring can factory followed with layoffs of its own.

The Associated Press reported this week that the layoffs are fueling a backlash among factory workers in Pennsylvania, a state central to next month’s midterm elections.

Last summer, union leader Wendell Young sent an email blaming tariffs for the Post cuts and received a firestorm of angry replies, one worker telling him to keep politics out of it and insisting Trump was not the reason.

“People used to beat me up for not supporting Trump. I haven’t heard that in a year,” said Young, president of Local 1776 of the United Food and Commercial Workers. “Some of these people are red Republicans and they are shocked. They expected more jobs.”

Post agreed to reduce headcount through severance offers, but lower production rippled outward. Trivium Packaging, which makes cans for Post and others, cut several jobs as orders fell, according to Young’s union.

“I understand the mindset behind tariffs, but I just don’t know if it’s working,” said former Post worker Heather Kingston, who left before the layoffs while her husband stayed on.

Kingston said she voted for Republican Dan Meuser in the 9th District last time but is having doubts this year. Meuser’s seat is considered safe, though nearby districts are competitive.

The AP notes that tariffs are far from the only reason for manufacturing job losses, and some Republicans who dislike the approach will not split with the party. But in towns like Bloomsburg, patience is wearing thin.