Battle for American-made Steel leads to ITC complaints and tariffs

United Steelworkers Local 2911 President Mark Glyptis joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the current struggles of the Weirton Steel Mill. Glyptis also talked about the International Trade Council’s (ITC) preliminary decision to implement tariffs on imports from three countries.

He said. the Weirton Steel Mill is going through a lean year after claims of tin import dumping by Canada, Germany and China. In 2023, more than 300 workers were laid off when the mill mostly turned into a finishing plant. With the former world’s top 10 steel production mill now resorting to producing steel plates made with imported tin, many workers are left wondering what happened, Glyptis said. To fight back, the Steelworkers filed a claim with the ITC for illegally dumping material into the American Market.

Weirton can compete with any steel mill in the world, however, to do so, they need a fair market, he said. When countries can dump their production materials into the American market at a lower price, it undercuts the ability of American mills to compete. Until the ITC can create a more fair market, American producers will struggle to meet the price of foreign steel. 

The ITC’s preliminary plan is to implement tariffs on steel imports from Canada, Germany and China, but the proposed tariffs are not enough, Glyptis said. The final decision on the tariffs for Germany and Canada will be announced in 2024. Meanwhile, a final decision on a China tariff will come at the end of 2023. In order to reach a decision, members of the ITC will spend time at the mills harmed by the import dumps and determine an action plan. Glyptis believes the final decision will increase the tariff amounts, which will create a fairer market and lead to the return of American-made steel and steel mill jobs.

To learn more about the fight for a more fair industry market, please press play above.