‘Nobody’s going to get around that,’ the president says at a U.S. Steel mill in Western Pennsylvania.
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa.–President Donald Trump announced May 30 that tariffs are doubling to 50 percent for steel and aluminum imported into the United States.
“We are going to be imposing a 25 percent increase. We’re going to bring it from 25 percent to 50 percent—the tariffs on steel into the United States of America,” he said during a rally held at the U.S. Steel Corporation’s Irvin Works plant in the Mon Valley in western Pennsylvania to celebrate the newly announced partnership with Japan’s Nippon Steel.
Trump said in a subsequent social media post that the increased tariffs would also apply to aluminum products, and the higher rates will take effect on June 4.
The president said at the rally that the tariff increase will “even further secure the steel industry in the United States.”
“Nobody’s going to get around that,” he added.
With rain clouds hovering overhead, the event took place in a massive steel mill, with industrial-sized steel coils surrounding the stage.
Thousands of steel workers in attendance donned orange jackets and hard hats emblazoned with the steel company’s logo.
Many came straight from their jobs, wearing uniforms layered with grime and grease.
“You’re the best people,” Trump told the workers in the crowd. “You built this country.”
Dozens of U.S. Steel employees told The Epoch Times they’re excited about the partnership and look forward to more opportunities in the future.
“It’s excellent,” Matt Albens told The Epoch Times. “We need it.”
Others in the crowd sported Make America Great Again caps, many wearing pro-Trump shirts and waving signs in support of the president and the steel agreement.
Representatives from Nippon Steel were present, and one leader responsible for crafting the agreement spoke to the crowd.
“We will make the investments to transform U.S. Steel on the world stage,” Takahiro Mori, vice chairman of Nippon Steel, said during the rally. “Let’s get together, stronger, to be the best steel company in America, and the world.”
Trump announced on May 23 that the two companies will partner to keep the company’s headquarters in Pittsburgh, create at least 70,000 jobs, and contribute an estimated $14 billion to the U.S. economy.
Nippon had previously attempted to purchase U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion in December 2023.
A local Congressman thanked the audience for showing up to support the deal.
“You being here today is a huge lift for the country,” Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) said during opening remarks.
His colleague in Congress said the news is a boon for the community.
“Today, we are all U.S. Steel fans,” Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) said during the rally. “In fact, we’re made in America steel fans.”
A multiple-generation steel worker took to the stage to highlight what she sees as a bright future for the company.
“We know the value of a career at U.S. Steel,” said Nicole Wright, stage shift manager for the U.S. Steel Clairton Plant. “Investment is needed here, and that’s what this partnership does.”
A union representative suggested the investment will propel the company to greater heights.
“With new investment and technology, we’ll put U.S. Steel back on top where it belongs,” said Jack Maskil, a United Steelworkers union representative.
Josh McRae, who recently moved to western Pennsylvania from Greenville, North Carolina, was wearing a shirt with a picture of Trump driving a garbage truck, a memorable moment from the 2024 presidential campaign, and said he came to show his support for the president and to learn more about his tariffs and trade policies.
“I just want to know what’s going on,” he told The Epoch Times. “I’d like to hear more about this steel plan.”
Details are still emerging about what exactly the plan entails.
Brian Pelzer of central Minnesota told The Epoch Times he’s excited about the steel merger and wants to see Trump continue to “move forward on what he ran on, what he was elected to do.”
People of all ages, including children of steel workers, waved signs throughout the event, some calling for Trump to “Make U.S. Steel Great Again.”
After a speech that lasted more than an hour, the crowd erupted in cheers as the song “YMCA” blared over the loudspeakers and Trump began his trademark dance while exiting the stage.
