President-elect Donald Trump has upset local union leaders by opposing a $14.9 billion sale of US Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel Co., vowing to block the deal when he takes office.
Some steelworkers in Pittsburgh’s Mon Valley, who support the deal and Trump, were left frustrated after his sudden change of heart. “It was like a gut punch,” said Jason Zugai, Vice President of United Steelworkers Local 2227.
Zugai and other local leaders had met with politicians to lobby for approval of the sale, which has come under scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats due to national security concerns. Many believe US Steel should remain domestically owned.
Despite initial reservations, local steelworkers began to support the deal after Nippon Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori met with them in October. Now, 95% of US Steel employees at the Irvin Works in West Mifflin back the purchase.
However, Trump’s opposition has left local leaders feeling let down. “Maybe he has concepts of a plan,” said Chris Kelly, West Mifflin Mayor. Shapiro, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, confirmed that Zugai met with his team and is trying to push the deal through, but lacks faith in US Steel CEO David Burritt.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is weighing the sale’s national security implications, with a deadline to issue a determination set for December 23.
Source: https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/gut-punch-trump-upsets-local-union-leaders-by-opposing-us-steel-nippon-deal