President Trump declared on Friday that steel imports into the United States would now face a steep 50% tariff, doubling the previous rate, as part of an intensified push to defend American manufacturing. The move followed two court decisions that cast uncertainty over key aspects of his trade policies.
“At 25%, they can sort of get over that fence. At 50%, they can no longer get over the fence,” Trump told US Steel workers during a rally held in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
He assured the enthusiastic audience that the city’s storied industrial legacy was about to be revived. “Pittsburgh will very soon be respected around the world as the Steel City again,” Trump told the crowd.
“We don’t want America’s future to be built with shoddy steel from Shanghai, we want it built with the strength and the pride of Pittsburgh.”
Trump’s visit highlighted a major investment agreement with Nippon Steel of Japan, which opted to put $14 billion into US Steel rather than acquire it outright—a deal that had previously drawn political fire.
“This is an incredible deal for American steel workers, and it includes vital protections to ensure that all steel workers will keep their jobs at all facilities in the United States will remain open and thriving,” Trump said.
He emphasized that his success in winning Pennsylvania and other battleground states on November 5 was tied to his strong support from steelworkers—and he reaffirmed his commitment to standing by them.
Earlier in his administration, Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on steel imports and later removed exemptions that had initially been granted to top suppliers such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
{Matzav.com}