‘Nobody’s going to get around that,’ the president says at a U.S. Steel mill in Western Pennsylvania.
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa.–President Donald Trump announced May 30 that tariffs are doubling to 50 percent for all steel imported into the United States.
He revealed the policy change during a rally held at the U.S. Steel Corporation’s Irvin Works plant in the Mon Valley in Western Pennsylvania to celebrate the newly announced partnership with Japan’s Nippon Steel.
The president said tariffs on imports of foreign steel will increase to 50 percent from 25 percent. It is unclear when the increased rate will take effect.
“Nobody’s going to get around that,” Trump said. “We’re making the best deal.”
Trump said the tariff increase will “even further secure the steel industry in the United States.”
“Nobody’s going to get around that,” he added.
With rain clouds hovering overhead, the event took place in a massive steel mill, with industrial-sized steel coils surrounding the stage.
Thousands of steel workers in attendance donned orange jackets and hard hats emblazoned with the steel company’s logo.
Many came straight from their jobs, wearing uniforms layered with grime and grease.
“You’re the best people,” Trump told the workers in the crowd. “You built this country.”
Dozens of U.S. Steel employees told The Epoch Times they’re excited about the partnership and look forward to more opportunities in the future.
“It’s excellent,” Matt Albens told The Epoch Times. “We need it.”
Others in the crowd sported Make America Great Again caps, many wearing pro-Trump shirts and waving signs in support of the president and the steel agreement.
Representatives from Nippon Steel were present, and one leader responsible for crafting the agreement spoke to the crowd.
“We will make the investments to transform U.S. Steel on the world stage,” Takahiro Mori, vice chairman of Nippon Steel, said during the rally. “Let’s get together, stronger, to be the best steel company in America, and the world.”
Trump announced on May 23 that the two companies will partner to keep the company’s headquarters in Pittsburgh, create at least 70,000 jobs, and contribute an estimated $14 billion to the U.S. economy.
