WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — In a significant move, President Trump revealed on Friday that he is doubling tariffs on imported steel while celebrating a deal between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel at a plant near Pittsburgh.
During his speech, Trump announced a 25% increase in steel tariffs, raising them from 25% to 50%.
“We’re going to bring it from 25% to 50% the tariffs on steel into the United States of America, which will even further secure the steel industry in the United States,” he stated.
Details regarding when the increase will take effect remain unclear.
The announcement coincided with Trump’s promotion of the partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, portraying it as a landmark achievement for American manufacturing.
However, ambiguity surrounds the specifics of the agreement, which has been the subject of contention for over a year.
Both Trump and former President Joe Biden opposed the deal during the campaign, with Biden blocking it in January before leaving office, citing national security concerns.
Despite these previous objections, Trump has shifted his stance, describing the $14 billion deal as one that would preserve U.S. Steel’s operations domestically and create “at least 70,000 jobs.”
In his address, Trump assured attendees that there would be no layoffs at U.S. Steel as a result of the Nippon Steel agreement, promising bonuses of $5,000 for all steel workers.
“This is an incredible deal for American steel workers, and it includes vital protections to ensure that all steel workers will keep their jobs at all facilities in the United States will remain open and thriving,” Trump asserted.
He emphasized that U.S. Steel would continue operating its blast furnaces at full capacity for a minimum of the next decade.
Despite the positive rhetoric, further details about the partnership are sparse.
Last weekend, Trump seemingly cast doubt on the completeness of the deal, commenting, “You know we’ll see what the final is, but they’re going to invest billions of dollars in steel.” He mistakenly referred to Nippon Steel as Nissan during this exchange.
“But it’s an investment and a partial ownership and it will be controlled by the USA,” he added, highlighting any potential concerns regarding America’s stake in the transaction.
Responses from the United Steelworkers union have been critical, stating they were not consulted about the deal.
The union expressed concerns regarding the possible merger with a foreign entity, emphasizing its implications for national security and the workforce.
“Whatever the deal structure, our primary concern remains with the impact that this merger of U.S. Steel into a foreign competitor will have on national security, our members and the communities where we live and work,” they said in a statement.
As anticipation built prior to the event, the White House did not clarify questions about the deal’s structure.
In a statement released after Trump’s announcement, U.S. Steel thanked him for his leadership and pledged to increase investments within the U.S. but did not provide any formal documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company’s spokesperson stated that U.S. Steel would grow stronger through its partnership with Nippon Steel, promising job creation and technology improvements over the next four years.
Market analysts have expressed skepticism about the nature of the agreement, with varying opinions on whether it differs significantly from previous acquisition proposals.
Gordon Johnson, CEO of GLJ research, clearly labeled the deal as an acquisition.
“No matter how the government and or the non-answers from U.S. Steel want to position this, this is an acquisition,” he argued.
Other industry analysts pointed out that Trump’s announcement may serve to obscure his reversal on previous deals.
Phil Gibs of Key Bank Capital Markets noted that the vague statements surrounding the agreement could be a deliberate attempt to manage perceptions due to prior failures, missteps, and political issues surrounding the negotiations.
This visit marks one of Trump’s domestic stops since returning to the presidency, strategically highlighting Pennsylvania, a pivotal state that contributed significantly to his 2024 election win.
The trip serves to reinforce a primary theme of his new administration: fostering foreign investment through domestic manufacturing revitalization.
Yet, the uncertainty shrouding the agreement might complicate Trump’s celebratory narrative.
The United Steelworkers union reiterated doubts, stating they cannot confirm if the described ‘planned partnership’ represents any substantial changes from earlier merger proposals.
Their concerns about Nippon Steel’s record relating to U.S. trade laws continue to be prominent.
Democratic politicians, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have cautiously responded to the development, balancing optimism with the reality that no formal agreement has been finalized.
Speaking to reporters, Shapiro reflected, “I’m cautiously optimistic today, after the President’s statement last week. There’s still no deal signed, and there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”
As the President’s trip unfolds, all eyes will be on the details released and the potential ramifications of the U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel partnership.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/nx-s1-5415684/trump-pittsburgh-us-steel-nippon-steel
