In a fiery rally in Pittsburgh, President Donald Trump declared he’s doubling down—literally—on steel tariffs.
He’s raising them from 25% to 50% starting Wednesday.
His goal? “To put Pennsylvania steel back into the backbone of America.”
And the crowd, packed with steelworkers, roared.
Trump also teased a $14 billion steel investment deal between U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel.
Though he admitted he hadn’t actually seen the final agreement yet.
Still, he promised no layoffs, no outsourcing, and a $5,000 bonus for every U.S. steelworker. Big words. Big numbers.
What’s The Twist?
But here’s the twist: Trump previously slammed the idea of foreign companies owning U.S. Steel, calling a 2023 takeover by Nippon “terrible.”
Now, he claims he’s brokered a partnership—details vague—giving the U.S. more control and keeping operations domestic.
Not everyone is sold. Critics point to the global trade disruption these tariffs have triggered before.
This includes friction with allies and a rocky relationship with China.
Yet local steelworkers like JoJo Burgess are hopeful.
“I’m never going to disagree with something that levels the playing field,” he said.
Tariffs may be tough, but the politics around steel?
Even tougher. As Trump put it: “If you don’t have steel, you don’t have a country.”
