NABTU President Criticizes Trump Admin's Halt on Offshore Wind Projects

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Political Decision on Offshore Wind Projects Sparks Outrage from NABTU

Washington, D.C. – December 22, 2025 – The administration's recent decision to halt offshore wind projects has ignited a response from North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU). NABTU President Sean McGarvey has openly criticized the move, highlighting its implications for American workers and economic growth.

In a statement, McGarvey emphasized the tangible consequences of the suspension, stating, “Once again, the Trump Administration has chosen politics over American workers and America’s future. Shutting down offshore wind projects doesn’t just pause construction. It kills thousands of good-paying jobs on projects that were legally permitted, fully vetted, fully funded, and already underway. These aren’t hypothetical jobs. They are real paychecks and billions in investment.” He described the decision as "political gamesmanship" that disrupts the economy and creates chaos for workers.

McGarvey pointed to the broader economic landscape, noting the challenges faced by various sectors. “With white-collar jobs evaporating, manufacturing shedding jobs all over the country, the middle class and working class being hammered by inflation, unemployment rising, and our overall economy tanking, this is when our federal government should be encouraging any and all economic activity, not crushing it,” he said. The halt is seen as a move that undermines American workers while benefiting global competitors like China.

Highlighting the potential impact on the national economy and energy costs, McGarvey called for a reversal of the decision. “Halting these projects does not protect America. It weakens us, hurts our workers, and tells the world the U.S. is sitting on its hands while global competitors keep building. This order must be reversed. Working families are paying the price. This is one of the reasons why America is falling behind. We can’t afford to keep killing jobs.”

Media Contact:

Betsy Barrett, (202) 997-3266 | bbarrett@nabtu.org

About NABTU

North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) represents an alliance of 14 national and international unions, accounting for over 3 million skilled craft professionals across the United States and Canada. Annually, the unions and their partners invest nearly $2 billion in private funds to operate more than 1,900 apprenticeship training and education facilities. These efforts ensure the delivery of the most skilled and productive workforce in the construction industry.

NABTU is committed to fostering economic security and job opportunities for construction workers by safeguarding wage and benefit standards, promoting responsible investment, and enhancing training programs. The organization focuses on creating career pathways for women, communities of color, Indigenous peoples, veterans, and those involved with the justice system. For further details, visit nabtu.org.

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