TEXT JOIN TO 77022

900+ Americans Lose Job at West Virginia Plant After Government Refuses More Tariffs on China

A tin production plant in West Virginia announced that over 900 of its workers would be laid off as a result of the federal government’s decision to not impose stricter tariffs on cheaper tin from China and other countries.

Breitbart reports that the company behind the plant, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., confirmed that the tin plant in Weirton, West Virginia will be idled in April. The decision is expected to have a major impact on the small community of just 20,000 residents.

The company’s decision comes after the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) decided not to allow the Commerce Department to implement more tariffs on tin imported from various foreign countries, including China, South Korea, Canada, and Germany.

“We worked very closely with our partners at the United Steelworkers (USW) on this solution to save Weirton, and together fought tirelessly for its survival,” said Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves in a statement. Cleveland-Cliffs and the USW had previously asked the Commerce Department to take a closer look at the rise in cheap, foreign-made tin back in January of 2023.

The Commerce Department subsequently found that “imports of tin mill products from Canada, China, Germany, and the Republic of Korea are being unfairly priced, i.e., dumped, into the U.S. market, and imports of tin mill products from China are also being subsidized.” But despite the Commerce Department’s formal recommendation of additional tariffs on the four countries in question, the IRC overruled its suggestion.

“This is a total travesty,” said Mark Glyptis, President of USW Local 2911. “It’s totally un-American to me. It’s one of the most un-American decisions that has ever been made that’s going to jeopardize the food industry in this country. It’s going to be a national security issue.”

The ITC’s decision was further condemned by both Senators from West Virginia, Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.). Congressman Alex Mooney (R-W.V.) further denounced the ITC as a “globalist, Democrat-led” entity that “sided with the cheap foreign competitors” over American workers.

The ITC is led by a board of four commissioners, which consists of just one Republican, David Johanson, and three Democrats: Amy Karpel, Jason Kearns, and Rhonda Schmidtlein.

Get the news corporate media won't tell you.

Get caught up on today's must read stores!

By submitting your information, you agree to receive exclusive AG+ content, including special promotions, and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms. By providing your phone number and checking the box to opt in, you are consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from my short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

About Eric Lendrum

Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter. He has interned for Young America’s Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, and the White House, and has worked for numerous campaigns including the 2018 re-election of Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-22). He is currently a co-host of The Right Take podcast.

Photo: Getty Images

Start the discussion at community.amgreatness.com