Recently, Cleveland-Cliffs stated that they will be idling their production at the Weirton location in April 2024, and this decision will be affecting 900 employees and beneficiaries of the steel production in Weirton.
Cleveland-Cliffs is a steel manufacturer based in Cleveland, Ohio. They have forty-two different locations. One of these locations is Weirton, WV. Weirton Steel Corporation has been operating for 115 years. Cleveland-Cliffs is the current owner of Weirton’s tinplate operation.
The affected employees received a notice and will be provided with the opportunity of relocation to other Cleveland-Cliffs locations.
The International Trade Commission nullified the implementation of anti-dumping and countervailing responsibilities on tin mill products. The company’s officials have stated that their decision was made based on the U.S. International Trade Commission denying their petition for trade duties on imported tin products.
Lourenco Goncalves, the company’s president, stated, “We worked very closely with our partners at the USW on this solution to save Weirton, and together fought tirelessly for its survival. In what was our final effort to maintain tinplate production here in America, we proved that we are forced to operate on an uneven playing field, and that the deck was stacked in favor of the importers.”
W.Va. U.S. senators Shelly Moore-Capito (R) and Joe Manchin (D) testified before the ITC in January and submitted letters of support for Cleveland-Cliffs.
“I am disappointed in the ITC’s decision to reverse the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final antidumping and countervailing duties on tin mill products imported into the United States,” Moore said in a statement. “I am concerned about the impacts of the ITC’s reversal and I will closely review the rationale behind this decision.”
“I’m extremely disappointed by the ITC’s negative determinations on the anti-dumping and countervailing duty petitions filed by Cleveland Cliffs and the United Steelworkers,” said Manchin. “A robust domestic steel industry is vital to creating American jobs, strengthening our economy and protecting our national security and that means we must safeguard it against illegally dumped and subsidized imports. I will continue doing everything I can to fight for fair competition within the steel industry and protect Cleveland Cliffs, the United Steelworkers and all of our American manufacturers.”
This halt in production will cause a decline in out tin mill market and will lead to heavier reliance on foreign countries. Weirton will be largely affected by this decision due to the loss of jobs, and loss of revenue that was received from the steel production.
Jason Angle stated, “I am very saddened by the closure of the tin mill by Cleveland Cliffs. I remember as a young kid, seeing Weirton Steel at its capacity and having relatives employed. So many people and families are affected by this closure including my sister.”
All hope is not lost yet, though. Cleveland Cliffs has not called to close the Weirton facility despite idling it.
Steelworkers, government officials and other supporters rallied outside of Millsop Community Center on March 9 to urged public support for a petition calling for President Joe Biden to increase tariffs and deter subsidized foreign steel imports.
“The only way this can be changed is through the president,” said Local 2911 President Mark Glyptis at the event.
