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 issued a sharp warning to Apple on Friday: if the tech giant doesn’t manufacture its iPhones in the United States, it will face a hefty 25% tariff.

Trump took to Truth Social early Friday morning to demand that Apple CEO Tim Cook ensure iPhones sold in the U.S. are made domestically. He wrote, “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones sold in the United States to be made in the U.S., not India or anywhere else. If not, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple.”

This move comes after Trump expressed frustration last week during his Middle East trip over Apple’s plans to build iPhones for the U.S. market at new factories in India. Apple has been shifting some production outside China as part of a diversification strategy, with India playing an increasing role.

On Apple’s recent earnings call, Cook acknowledged that most iPhones sold in the U.S. will soon be labeled “Made in India.” He also noted Apple expects to face tariff costs of up to $900 million this quarter due to these changes, though Trump exempted electronics from some of his earlier, heavier tariffs on Chinese goods.

Currently, about 90% of iPhone production happens in China, according to Wedbush Securities. Despite tariffs being reduced recently from as high as 145% on Chinese imports to around 30%, a 10% tariff still applies broadly to goods entering the U.S.

During his Middle East trip, Trump publicly challenged Cook over Apple’s overseas plans. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook,” Trump said in Qatar. “I told him, ‘You’re my friend. I treated you very well. You’re bringing in $500 billion. But I don’t want you building iPhones in India.’”

Cook and Trump met again at the White House earlier this week, though the topics of their conversation were not disclosed.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent weighed in Friday, highlighting the administration’s goal to bring advanced manufacturing back to America, particularly in critical areas like semiconductors. “Apple uses many semiconductor components, and we want them to help secure our supply chains,” Bessent told Fox News.

Apple already sources some chips from the U.S., thanks to its partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which recently opened a chip plant in Arizona.

Why Apple Says U.S. iPhone Production Is Difficult

Despite being the most valuable company in the world, Apple has long argued it cannot fully manufacture iPhones in the U.S.

The company invests billions training engineers abroad, where large talent pools in China and India allow them to hire skilled workers at lower costs. Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs once told President Obama that the U.S. lacks enough industrial engineers to support large-scale manufacturing.

“You can’t find that many engineers in America to hire,” Jobs said in 2010. “If you could educate them, we could bring manufacturing back here.”

Tim Cook echoed this view in 2012, saying he hopes Apple can eventually produce more products domestically but that it would take significant effort and influence.

Experts Call U.S. iPhone Production “Unrealistic”

Industry analysts say shifting iPhone manufacturing back to the U.S. is not realistic in the near term.

Dan Ives, head of technology research at Wedbush Securities, called the idea a “fairy tale” and said the costs would skyrocket. He explained that replicating the complex Asian supply chain in America could cause iPhones to cost over $3,500—more than triple the current $1,000 price.

Ives estimated that even moving just 10% of Apple’s supply chain to the U.S. could take three years and cost about $30 billion. Fully relocating production might take five to ten years, if possible at all.

What a 25% Tariff Could Mean for Consumers

If Trump follows through with the tariff, iPhone prices in the U.S. could rise, further burdening American buyers. Rumors are already swirling that Apple may raise prices when launching its new iPhone models this fall, though the company is likely to avoid blaming tariffs directly.

Apple’s U.S. Investment Efforts

While full iPhone production in the U.S. may be out of reach, Apple has announced a $500 billion investment to expand operations stateside. This includes building a new data center in Houston to support Apple’s growing AI products, increasing data center capacity across several states, and investing in corporate offices and Apple TV+ production facilities nationwide.

Summary:

President Trump has demanded Apple manufacture iPhones in the U.S. or face a 25% tariff, citing national security and job creation goals. Apple, however, argues that current economic and workforce realities make full domestic production impossible. Experts agree the costs and timelines for reshoring production would be enormous, and tariffs could raise consumer prices. Meanwhile, Apple continues to invest heavily in U.S. facilities in other areas.

Source: CNN – Trump threatens Apple with a 25% tariff if it doesn’t build iPhones in America

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Economic Concerns: Higher Costs and Inflation

Tariffs, which increase the price of foreign goods, can provide short-term protection for U.S. manufacturers. However, economists caution that they can also contribute to inflation, which may hurt other sectors of the economy.

Gary Schlossberg, a global strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, acknowledged the protective effect of tariffs but noted that the resulting inflation could hurt manufacturers who rely on imported materials. “Depending on where you are in manufacturing, inflation could work against you,” he said.

During his first administration, Trump imposed tariffs on products like solar panels, washing machines, and certain metals. These measures were maintained by President Biden, with additional tariffs on Chinese goods. Now, Trump is proposing even more aggressive tariffs: 60%-100% on Chinese imports and a universal tariff of up to 20% on goods from other countries.

“We’ll lead an American manufacturing boom,” Trump said during a September speech in Georgia, predicting that tariffs would incentivize companies to build within the U.S.

However, these measures come at a cost. The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates that tariffs could cost a typical American household more than $2,600 annually. According to the National Retail Federation, the tariffs could reduce American consumers’ spending power by $46 billion to $78 billion each year. For instance, a $50 pair of athletic shoes could increase to $64, and a $2,000 mattress set could rise to $2,190.

Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers

While tariffs might offer relief to some manufacturers, the rising costs could be passed on to consumers. For example, Matt Bigelow, president of Vermont Flannel, which sources fabric from Europe, expressed concern about the effect of tariffs on consumer prices, saying that inflation is already a real issue for his company.

Stephen Liquori, CEO of Goodwear USA, a Massachusetts-based apparel manufacturer, acknowledged that tariffs could level the playing field by raising the cost of imported goods. However, he questioned their long-term effectiveness, noting that some products are simply not feasible to produce domestically. “I’m realistic about that. I’m not going to say, ‘Make everything in America,’” he said.

Optimism for Jobs

Despite inflation concerns, some manufacturers are optimistic about the potential job creation that could result from expanded tariffs. Drew Greenblatt, president of Marlin Steel, a wire and sheet metal products manufacturer, believes that tariffs will bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. His company, which sources American steel, lost out on contracts due to lower-cost imports. “I’m going to start winning all those jobs,” Greenblatt said, predicting the need to double his staff if tariffs take effect.

A study by the Coalition for a Prosperous America suggests that a universal 10% tariff could create up to 2.8 million jobs. However, a 2020 report by the Brookings Institution found that the job gains in industries like steel were offset by losses in sectors dependent on imports or facing retaliatory tariffs.

Bayard Winthrop, CEO of American Giant, a U.S.-based apparel manufacturer, expressed support for a gradual approach to tariffs. While tariffs could boost his company, he cautioned that a sudden 20% tariff could be harmful to the economy. “The benefit is it will begin to put in place some industrial capability in the U.S. that I think is desperately needed,” Winthrop said.

Strategic Tariffs for National Security

Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, advocates for a strategic approach to tariffs, especially on Chinese products. He sees tariffs as an essential policy step to reduce the U.S.’s economic dependence on China, calling it a critical move for national security.

Source

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