President trump has promised that its tariffs on imported steel will support the us steel producers, but this policy had the opposite effect for some plants in Western Pennsylvania. For example, in the steel city of Farrell NLMK USA workers are experiencing a sharp reduction in jobs.
"the Economy is just not there," said Jim wells of the USW Union to NLMK. He said he really didn't see the recovery, which touts the administration of the trump. "There's not much I can say about it."
wells works as an electrician on the pickling line, where the steel is treated to remove contaminants. It is about 430 members of the Steelworkers and says that about half his friends have gone through a process of repeated layoffs.
"we Have recently had a few layoffs and negative business environment," he said. "The week dismissal - this means that they will go home for a week, but can be called upon at any time to work, it all depends on the business and orders."
for many years, NLMK bought the steel slabs from other countries and turned them into steel coils in Pennsylvania, which are used for the production of household appliances such as refrigerators. But the rates of administration trump on imported steel have made this business model much more expensive. NLMK has lost $ 160 million only in 2018.
Companies affected by the tariffs, may request exemption, but the process takes time, and there is no guarantee that the company will get it. NLMK requested to exempt it from the tariffs on 85 commodities, and the U.S. government has rejected every request.
to get the exemption, the company must show that it can't get steel from an American manufacturer. But this does not mean that these manufacturers are required to sell this product and NLMK representatives say that other domestic steel producers often refuse to sell the harvesting potential competitors.
"This trade war and tariffs don't help anybody," said wells, who is critical of all rates of the administration and the trade war in General. He said layoffs have created a large concern of his members.
"All disappointed by all this," he said. "And now the entire economy is slowed down, and a week later you're fired and the other does not. They are concerned about. They are definitely worried about it, and there's nothing we can say to them right now."
wells admits that it had happened before: the business has also slowed in 2008.
"the Steel industry has always been a fast - growing industry," he said. "In 2008 we slowed down, then everything was back to normal and we're back to do it again six or seven days a week, working all the time. Now here we are again, the economy is slowing down, and everything slowed down again".
Farrell is located in Mercer County, which voted for trump more than 20 percentage points. Wells would not comment on whether affected trade policy of the administration to members of his Union about the President. But he had a message for the administration to trump and politicians.
"Make sure that the rates began to decline and, in fact, return to their places to all do not have to worry about their work," said wells. "Come out of trade wars, and let's get back to doing what we need."
