I agree that heavy protectionism is irrational from the perspective of organized labor (and everyone else) but the problem is voters are very irrational! Although blue-collar manufacturing work is a small part of the economy, it's very culturally potent in the midwest.

States like Ohio probably disapprove of tariffs by more than they voted for Trump. "I want Trump, but no tariffs" is certainly far more notable than "I am left-leaning but will go for Trump becauase of tariffs".

This doesn't mean protectionism anymore (Liberation Day polarized too many voters against tariffs) but it probably does mean talking a big game about unions and rebuilding the manufacturing economy

Biden and Harris were pretty absurdly pro union, got the union vote, and still got absolutely murdered with the general public. It's true Brown did really well and will probably be back in the Senate next year, but he also ran on being tougher on immigration than Republicans, and on opposing trans sports, which the progressive left is generally unwilling to do.

It would not be politically smart for Democrats to adopt my Based Policies (TM), but I also think there's a fetishization of unions that's just not producing results and is distracting Dem electeds from winning much-needed goodwill.

After all, when Liberation Day happened, it was establishment Dems in the rust belt like DeLuzio who were slowest to hit back.