Speaking at U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works plant near Pittsburgh, Trump emphasized the importance of keeping the American steel industry strong. “You’re going to stay an American company, you know that, right?” he told the crowd of steelworkers.

A Deal With Nippon Steel: Keeping U.S. Steel American?

Trump also addressed a developing deal involving Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel, which plans to invest heavily in U.S. Steel. Initially, Trump had threatened to block Nippon’s bid to buy Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel outright. But last week, he surprised many by announcing an agreement that would allow “partial ownership” by Nippon while keeping the company American in spirit and control.

“I still have to approve the final deal,” Trump told reporters after returning to Washington. “We haven’t seen that final deal yet, but they’ve made a very big commitment and it’s a very big investment.”

Details remain murky. Nippon Steel has never publicly backed down from its original plan to buy U.S. Steel fully, but in recent negotiations, it pledged billions in investments and promised not to lay off workers or close plants—a key concern for union members and local communities.

Union Concerns and Worker Perspectives

The United Steelworkers union remains cautious. Its president, David McCall, voiced worries about national security and the impact on steelworkers’ jobs if a foreign competitor gains control of the company.

Still, on the ground, opinions among steelworkers are mixed but leaning toward cautious optimism. Clifford Hammonds, who works at the plant where Trump spoke, said the promised investment is badly needed. “This plant is old, it’s falling apart,” Hammonds said. “We need money to fix machines and increase production.”

Tariffs and Market Impact

Steel prices in the U.S. have already climbed about 16% since Trump’s presidency began, according to government data. The current cost—around $984 per metric ton—is notably higher than prices in Europe or China.

Trump believes that raising tariffs further will “secure the steel industry in the U.S.” and help American workers compete with foreign producers. However, critics warn that higher tariffs could drive up costs for manufacturers and consumers.

The Bigger Picture: Manufacturing, Politics, and the Future

Trump’s focus on U.S. Steel fits into his broader agenda to revive American manufacturing and energize blue-collar voters who helped deliver his return to the White House. The fate of this iconic company has political implications, especially in Pennsylvania—a key swing state with a deep industrial history.

State and federal officials say the proposed Nippon Steel deal includes plans to invest billions into steel plants across several states, with governance largely in American hands and protected by a “golden share” veto held by the U.S. government.

Jason Zugai, a vice president of the local steelworkers union, praised the deal onstage with Trump. Having seen the industry decline over decades, Zugai called Nippon’s $14 billion investment “life-changing” and expressed confidence that Trump would protect workers’ interests.

Trump’s Closing Message to Steelworkers

Ending his remarks, Trump thanked the steelworkers and laid out a vision of American self-reliance and strength:

“With the help of patriots like you, we’re going to produce our own metal, unleash our own energy, secure our own future, build our country, control our destiny,” he said. “We are once again going to put Pennsylvania steel into the backbone of America like never before.”

Source: AP News – Trump tells US steelworkers he’s going to double tariffs on foreign steel to 50%

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President Donald Trump has announced what he calls a new partnership between U.S. Steel and Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel — a move he says will keep the company’s headquarters in Pittsburgh and inject $14 billion into the U.S. economy.

Posting on TruthSocial Friday, Trump highlighted the potential benefits:

“This will be a planned partnership between United States Steel and Nippon Steel, which will create at least 70,000 jobs, and add $14 Billion Dollars to the U.S. Economy. The bulk of that investment will occur in the next 14 months.”

Trump also said he will visit a steel plant next Friday for a “BIG rally” related to the deal.

What We Know — and What We Don’t

Details about the deal remain scarce. It’s unclear if this is a true partnership or more of an acquisition, and how much control U.S. Steel will retain. The deal comes after former President Joe Biden blocked a $14.3 billion acquisition in his final week in office, amid bipartisan concerns over foreign ownership of a cornerstone of U.S. industry.

Back in December 2023, when the acquisition was first proposed, both parties in Washington opposed foreign control of U.S. Steel — a symbol of American industrial strength for over a century.

Trump himself opposed outright foreign ownership during his first term, stating:

“I don’t want US Steel being owned by a foreign country. All they can have is an investment.”

However, the Trump administration took a softer stance this year, signaling possible approval after filing motions related to the ongoing legal battle between U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel, and the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS). This committee reviews foreign deals that might affect national security.

Investment, Jobs, and National Security

Nippon Steel raised its investment offer to $14 billion, including plans for a new $4 billion steel mill in the U.S., should the deal gain approval. According to Reuters, CFIUS recently made a recommendation to Trump regarding whether the companies’ proposed safeguards could address national security concerns.

Once the world’s largest steelmaker, U.S. Steel has seen a steady decline since its post-World War II peak. Today, it employs around 14,000 Americans—11,000 of whom belong to the United Steelworkers union—and is no longer the country’s biggest steel producer.

Still, its ownership remains a sensitive issue, especially in Pennsylvania, a key political state where many see U.S. Steel as a symbol of American manufacturing might.

Reactions from Leadership and Labor

U.S. Steel praised Trump as “a bold leader and businessman,” emphasizing that the company will “remain American” and grow stronger through the partnership with Nippon Steel. The company highlighted the promise of massive investment, new technology, and thousands of jobs over the next four years.

Yet, the union response has been sharply critical. The United Steelworkers warned the deal could be disastrous for American steelworkers, national security, and the future of manufacturing. In a recent statement, the union urged Trump to block the sale once and for all, calling the deal a “corporate sellout.”

Pennsylvania’s political leaders are divided: Republican Senator Dave McCormick applauded the partnership, saying it keeps U.S. Steel under American control, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman called the original deal a “death sentence” for local steelworkers.

Governor Josh Shapiro praised the deal, noting his recent discussions with Trump and emphasizing his focus on preserving and growing jobs in Pennsylvania.

“My priority has been to keep and grow jobs here in Pennsylvania and get the largest investment we possibly could for our Commonwealth,” Shapiro said.

Market Reaction and Next Steps

Following the announcement, U.S. Steel’s stock surged 21% on Friday. The outcome of this deal still depends on regulatory approval and further negotiations, with many questions remaining about how the partnership will function in practice.

Source: CNN – President Trump says Nippon Steel and US Steel to enter into ‘partnership’

The post Trump Announces $14 Billion US Steel and Nippon Steel Partnership appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.