Both U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, have weighed in through statements released to the media on the indefinite idling of the Cleveland Cliffs tinplate production plant in Weirton.

“I am devastated to learn that Cleveland-Cliffs will be closing their Weirton operation, which will result in the elimination of almost 900 jobs in the area,” Capito said. “While little consolation to the hardworking men and women facing this incredible loss — and to the Weirton community at large — I fought to sustain operations there since learning of Cleveland Cliffs’ and the United Steelworkers’ concerns with unfair trade practices last year.

“As I have said before, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final decision announced in January demonstrated our government’s recognition of the damage these unfair trade practices have had on America’s domestic tin mill production and its workers,” she continued. “The ITC’s decision to reverse Commerce’s final duties on tin mill products remains concerning and will be examined thoroughly. In my testimony to the ITC, I conveyed the deep concern I had about the potential negative impact of their ruling, and I am sorry to see this come to fruition. West Virginians are seeing and feeling the consequences of the decision today,”

“When China cheats our trade laws and our trade enforcement isn’t strong enough to keep up, Ohio workers pay the price,” Brown said. “It happens over and over, and today once again, Ohio steelworkers are facing the worst news any worker can get on the job,” said Brown. “I’ve been to their plant and I’ve seen how talented and dedicated these workers are – they could compete with anyone if given a fair shot. I will never stop fighting for them and for this community, and to level the playing field for Ohio workers.”

Original story

“To the tin can makers and consumer groups who irrationally fought against American jobs and a domestic-based food supply chain, this outcome is due to your own greed.”

Lourenco Goncalves, Cleveland-Cliffs’ Chairman, President and CEO

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. on Thursday announced it will be indefinitely idling its tinplate production plant located in Weirton in April. The company says the plant is being idled due to the unanimous decision of the International Trade Commission negating the implementation of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on tin mill products calculated by the Department of Commerce.

A WARN notice is being issued Thursday to approximately 900 impacted employees. These employees will be provided relocation opportunities to work at other Cliffs’ facilities and/or severance packages.

In January 2023, Cleveland-Cliffs and co-petitioners the United Steelworkers filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions related to unfairly traded tin and chromium coated sheet steel products. After finding evidence of dumping and subsidization, on January 5, 2024, the Department of Commerce announced duties on four countries, including Canada, China, Germany and South Korea. However, on February 6, 2024, the ITC unanimously rejected these tariffs.

Lourenco Goncalves, Cleveland-Cliffs’ Chairman, President and CEO, said “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. Despite the Department of Commerce finding evidence of dumping and subsidization from respondent countries, the ITC shockingly ruled against imposition of tariffs, keeping the uneven playing field in place and making it impossible for us to viably produce tinplate. We have been upfront and open with union leadership throughout this process and our partnership with the USW remains unbreakable.

“To the tin can makers and consumer groups who irrationally fought against American jobs and a domestic-based food supply chain, this outcome is due to your own greed. We disproved all the arguments leveled against the domestic industry and workers. Furthermore, Weirton recently concluded a successful run of Drawn & Ironed material that tested perfectly with zero defects. This test proves that Weirton and its workers are able to manufacture all the products the market demands. The ITC’s decision is a travesty for America, middle-class jobs, and our critical food supply chains. This bad outcome requires better and stronger trade laws. We will continue to work tirelessly with our Congressional champions who fought with us in this case to improve the trade laws so that the American industry and our workers are not left behind.”

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin on Thursday said he will continue to work to reverse the ITC decision. “Today’s announcement is a consequence of the International Trade Commission’s decision to turn a blind eye to nearly 1,000 hard-working employees right here in West Virginia in favor of illegally dumped and subsidized imports. Cleveland-Cliffs’ closure is an absolute injustice not only to American workers, but to the very principle of fair competition, and it will undoubtedly weaken our economic and national security,” Manchin said.

“Last night, I called Cleveland-Cliffs’ Chairman, President & CEO, Lourenco Goncalves as well as United Steelworkers Local 2911 President Mark Glyptis to express my solidarity with the company and its workers. I strongly urge the Administration to take this opportunity to do the right thing and recommit to revitalizing our domestic manufacturing, strengthening our supply chains, and keeping good-paying jobs right here in the Mountain State. My commitment to the cause has only grown, and I stand ready to work with Mr. Goncalves, the United Steelworkers and all of our partners in this effort to safeguard our domestic steel industry.”