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.”