Buckeye Reporter

Ohio has always been at the heart of American industry. Our state produced the country’s steel, and built its factories and infrastructure. But for too long, we’ve watched as globalist policies sent jobs overseas, gutted our manufacturing sector, and left us dependent on foreign nations for critical materials. Now, we have a chance to reverse the damage.

Paired with President Trump’s proposed steel tariffs, Nippon Steel’s commitment in its proposed deal with U.S. Steel to keep all production of American-made steel in the United States is one of the most important economic opportunities for our state in recent history. Combined, these efforts ensure that our domestic manufacturers, construction companies, and energy producers will have access to high-quality steel without the risks of foreign manipulation, price-gouging, or supply chain failures.

Every time we rely on imported steel, we hand leverage to foreign competitors. Countries like China have used predatory pricing to weaken our steel industry, taking advantage of Washington’s failures to protect American businesses. They flood the market with subsidized steel, destroy our production capacity, and then jack up prices when we have no other options.

By keeping American steel in America, we are protecting our economy, rebuilding our workforce, and ensuring that Ohio’s businesses have a strong, reliable supply chain for generations to come.

This is about more than cost savings—it’s about economic survival. We cannot afford another decade of outsourcing and dependency. This is the model that every major industry should follow: prioritize American production, strengthen American supply chains, and eliminate reliance on foreign adversaries.

Washington must stop listening to lobbyists and foreign interests, and stand up for American workers and industries. The Nippon-U.S. Steel deal is a massive step toward restoring economic independence—and Ohio should lead the charge to support it.

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