Steel tariffs tied to national security, Butler mill
Part of the reason for President Donald Trump’s success in Butler County in 2020 was his pledge to assist then-AK Steel by imposing significant tariffs on imported products made at the mill in Butler.
While Trump’s 25% tariff on imported steel and 10% on aluminum imposed in 2018 were rejected on Friday, Dec. 9, by the World Trade Organization, which said they violated global trade rules, President Joe Biden’s administration criticized the WTO’s rejection of the tariffs.
“The United States strongly rejects the flawed interpretation and conclusions,” said Adam Hodge, spokesman for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. “The United States has held the clear and unequivocal position, for over 70 years, that issues of national security cannot be reviewed in WTO dispute settlement.”
In 2018, then-AK Steel officials supported Trump’s tariffs because the grain-oriented steel manufactured at the Butler Works is a major component in the electrical transformers that power the nation’s electrical grid.
Many said relying on foreign steel for that important application would jeopardize national security.
Critical infrastructures that also are security risks, like transportation, public health and safety, and energy also rely on steel.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, was on board with the tariffs when enacted and remains so.
“I have consistently advocated for fair tariffs that protect American steel jobs, including the approximately 1,400 jobs at the Butler Works-Cleveland Cliffs plant, the last producer of grain-oriented electric steel in the United States,” Kelly said. “We can’t afford to trade away our national security. I’m pleased to hear the Biden administration agrees with the Trump administration, that these tariffs have proven to be beneficial and have helped to create a level global playing field.”
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey agreed that the U.S. should stand up to foreign steel and aluminum imports, but did not agree with the tariffs in 2018.
Toomey used Twitter to react to the WTO’s rejection of the tariffs.
“President Trump was right to confront China,” Toomey tweeted, “but I would have chosen different tactics.”
He said he feels Trump thinks tariffs are “intrinsically good for the economy.”
“I can’t disagree more,” Toomey said.
