Market Segment
Cliffs to Lay Off 300 at Weirton Citing "Unfair" Imports
May 15, 2023
Cleveland-Cliffs is preparing to lay off approximately 300 workers at its Weirton, W.Va., tin mill operations in June due to “dumped and subsidized imports,” according to a press release from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
The Cleveland-based steelmaker invested more than $50 million over two years in the Weirton plant to increase production. Census data indicates that tin mill imports “surged” by more than 37% between 2019 and 2022, according to the release, which was dated Friday, May 12.
“Make no mistake, the loss of jobs in Weirton is a direct result of the dumping of imported tin mill products in our domestic market,” Manchin said.
“I am adamant that we focus on returning these manufacturing jobs to the United States, but we must protect the jobs that remain in places like Weirton,” the senator added.
Cliffs’ chairman, president and CEO Lourenco Goncalves echoed that sentiment.
“Once again, unfair trade practices are harming good-paying, union jobs,” he said, noting that Cliffs and the United Steelworkers (USW) union had jointly filed a trade case against imported tin mill products.
He noted that the company appreciated the support from Sen. Manchin, Sen. Capito (R., W.Va.) and other influential elected officials. “We are optimistic that this critically important trade case will succeed.”
USW Local 2911 president Mark Glyptis also expressed his gratitude. Local 2911 represents the Weirton mill.
“With the help of Sen. Manchin, his colleagues in the United States Congress and continued support from our state and local officials, we are confident we will stop these unfair practices,” he said.
In early February, Manchin and Capito, along with other elected officials, signed a letter expressing support for the trade case.
The ITC made a preliminary determination the tin mill imports had caused injury to domestic producers. The Commerce Department in early March set preliminary antidumping margins ranging from 46.76% to 296.04%.
By Ethan Bernard, ethan@steelmarketupdate.com
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