On Friday, President Donald Trump informed Pennsylvania steelworkers that he is increasing the tariff on imported steel to 50%. He stated this was to safeguard their industry, but this significant rise could lead to higher prices for steel, which is used in making homes, cars, and other products.

Later, on his Truth Social platform, he also announced that aluminum tariffs would be doubled to 50%. He stated that both tariff increases would become effective on Wednesday.

Trump spoke at U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant near Pittsburgh, where he also talked about a future agreement. In this deal, Japan's Nippon Steel will invest in the famous American steel company, and more details will be shared later.

After returning to Washington, Trump told reporters that he still needed to give his final approval to the agreement.

I need to approve the final agreement with Nippon, and we haven't seen that yet. However, they have shown a very strong commitment and are making a significant investment, he said.

Although Trump first promised to stop the Japanese steelmaker from buying U.S. Steel, which is based in Pittsburgh, he later changed his mind. Last week, he announced a deal allowing Nippon to have "partial ownership."

It's still not clear if the agreement his administration helped arrange is complete, or how the ownership will be set up. Nippon Steel has not said they will stop trying to buy and completely control U.S. Steel as a fully owned company. This is true even though they promised to invest more money in U.S. Steel factories and guaranteed they wouldn't fire workers or close plants while trying to get federal approval for the purchase.

Speaking at a U.S. Steel warehouse, Trump praised the important agreement, emphasizing that it would protect the company's American identity and assuring them that it would remain an American company.

Regarding the tariffs, Trump stated that increasing taxes on imported steel by a hundred percent would "further strengthen the U.S. steel industry," but such a significant rise could lead to higher prices.

According to the government's Producer Price Index, steel prices have gone up by 16% since Trump became president in mid-January.

In March 2025, steel in the United States cost $984 per metric ton, which was much higher than in Europe ($690) or China ($392), according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Last year, the U.S. produced about three times more steel than it imported. The main countries supplying imported steel were Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea.

Analysts believe that tariffs from Trump's first term strengthened the steel industry in the US, which Nippon Steel aimed to benefit from when it offered to buy U.S. Steel.

The United Steelworkers union maintained a stance of skepticism.

David McCall, the union's president, stated that their main concern about U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company is how it will affect national security, their members, and the communities where they live and work.

Trump emphasized that the agreement would keep American control of the well-known company, which is considered both a political symbol and an important part of the country's supply chain, affecting industries like car manufacturing and national security.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has been keen to make deals and announce new investments in the U.S. At the same time, he is trying to please the voters who elected him, especially blue-collar workers, because he promised to protect American manufacturing.

Neither U.S. Steel nor Nippon Steel has publicly shared the specific details of their new agreement with investors, even though Nippon Steel released a statement supporting the proposed "partnership."

State and federal lawmakers who have been informed about the situation describe an agreement where Nippon Steel will buy U.S. Steel and invest billions of dollars into U.S. Steel's facilities in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Minnesota. The company would be managed by an executive team and a board primarily composed of Americans, and the U.S. government would have the authority to veto decisions through a "golden share."

Although there was initial disagreement among unionized steelworkers about Nippon Steel's acquisition, their opinions have slowly come together as it became clearer that U.S. Steel would eventually close its plants in the Pittsburgh area.

Clifford Hammonds, who works as a line feeder at the factory where Trump spoke, mentioned that the agreement would at least help improve the old factory and increase what it produces.

Hammonds explained that injecting funds back into the plant is crucial for its restoration, as the facility's age and poor condition have considerably limited its production. Therefore, significant investment is required to repair the current machinery.

Regardless of the exact conditions, this issue is very important to Trump. Last year, he repeatedly stated he would prevent the deal and foreign ownership of U.S. Steel, a position also taken by former President Joe Biden.

During his campaign, Trump promised to focus on bringing back American manufacturing if he won a second term. The uncertain future of U.S. Steel, which used to be a very large company, could now cause problems for the Republican Party in the midterm elections, especially in Pennsylvania and other important industrial states.

Trump stated on Sunday that he would not approve the acquisition deal unless U.S. Steel stayed under American control, adding that its headquarters needed to remain in Pittsburgh.

The president concluded his address on Friday, expressing gratitude to steelworkers.

He stated that with the support of committed citizens, they would manufacture their own metal, produce their own energy, safeguard their future, develop their nation, and determine their own fate. He stressed that Pennsylvania steel would again play a crucial role in strengthening the foundation of America more than ever before.

Recently, Trump and other U.S. officials have been emphasizing Nippon Steel's promise to invest an additional $14 billion, on top of its $14.9 billion offer. This investment includes building a new electric arc furnace steel mill in the U.S.

On Friday, he was joined on stage by several U.S. Steel workers, including Jason Zugai, who is the vice president of the local United Steelworkers union at the Irvin finishing plant. This local union went against the international union's position by supporting Nippon Steel's offer to buy U.S. Steel.

Zugai, whose father had lost his job at a steel mill some years before, worked hard to convince local officials and members of Congress to support the deal. He believed that U.S. Steel would eventually close its Pittsburgh-area plants if they didn't.

In his speech, Zugai told Trump that he was confident Trump would not let them down. He also described Nippon Steel's planned $14 billion investment in U.S. steel production as something that would significantly improve people's lives.