Pittsburgh steelworkers who supported President-elect Donald Trump were devastated that he has reiterated his opposition to the proposed $14.9 billion sale of US Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel Co.
One union leader who had attended Trump's rally before the election called the incoming President's vow to block the Japanese steelmaker from buying the Pittsburgh-based US Steel when he takes office a "gut punch."
Early in his 2024 campaign, Trump mentioned he would “instantaneously” block the deal.
He revisited his intention on Monday, writing on a Truth Social post:
"I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan."
Trump also said he would make US Steel "Strong and Great Again" by pledging tax incentives and tariffs, adding:
"And it will happen FAST! As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!"
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Despite Nippon Steel's stating they are the only steel company that can provide significant investment in US Steel's factories to strengthen the US steel industry, the deal had been scrutinized by both Republicans and Democrats–including both Pennsylvania Democratic Senators Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman–over national security concerns.
In March, Democratic President Joe Biden stated his opposition to the potential acquisition and insisted US Steel should be domestically owned:
“U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.”
Biden said in September that he had yet to see a report from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an inter-agency committee that reviews the national security implications of foreign investments in US companies.
As a MAGA supporter, Jason Zugai, the Vice President of United Steelworkers Local 2227 representing hundreds of U.S. Steel’s Irvin Works workers in West Mifflin, was devastated over Trump's opposition to the deal after he was elected for a second term.
During a panel discussion on Tuesday organized by Hudson Institute, a Washington D.C. think tank group, Zugai stated:
“I am very frustrated with the news that came out last night. I didn’t expect that to come out. So that was like a gut punch.”
Social media users didn't have much sympathy for Zugai, and pretty much had a monolithic response.
@resistx.bsky.social/bluesky
@itsmrcatlady2u.bsky.social
In the weeks leading up to November, Zugai said he attended Trump rallies in Westmoreland County and Pittsburgh and helped arrange for steelworkers to join him.
He said he met the then-GOP frontrunner at one of the rallies. Although Trump did not specifically mention his opposition to the US Steel deal with Nippon at the rallies, Trump told Zugai he would "take another look at the deal" after the election.
Zugai said local supporters like him are currently scrambling to persuade other politicians to back the deal.
You can watch the full panel discussion explaining why local stakeholders supported the US Steel sale to Nippon in the video below.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
Seriously, what were they thinking when they voted for him?
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