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President Donald Trump visited Granite City on Thursday to extol the hundreds of jobs that were brought back to a reopened steel mill – and to repel critics that his growing trade disputes are hurting US workers and farmers [19659002]. Today, the blast furnace is shining brightly and we are once again pouring American steel into the spine in our country, "Trump told the crowd at the mill.
added: "We love our metallurgists. We are here today to celebrate a great victory.
At one point, the president was joined on the scene by factory workers.
Neil Whitt, factory director at the factory, said: here and see smiling faces. We owe it to you, Mr. President. "
Trump's visit to the factory was the third stop this week in a tour of Midwestern cities, with a previous stop at Kansas City, Mo. and a stop in Dubuque, Iowa on Thursday. City, he asked those attending a VFW congress to be patient with 25% duty on imported steel and other products.
The factory Granite City, owned by Pittsburgh United States Steel Corp. after the Trump administration announced the tariffs.
The furnace restart yielded 500 jobs – jobs that were deeply missed in the city. About 28,000 nested in an industrial corridor along the Mississippi River.More than 2,000 employees were laid off in 2015. The company has pledged an additional 300 by October, when it plans to launch a second blaster. [19659002] Market conditions and customer demand for US S teel improved, and Simmons, president of USW Local 1889, described it as "icing on the cake."
Rates on imported steel have raised concerns among some farmers who say they have lost money.
The United States Department of Agriculture announced this week a $ 12 billion emergency assistance program to help farmers who have been harmed by retaliatory tariffs. Some farmers say that they prefer the long-term stability of the trade rather than a single payment.
But Trump says that the steel industry means more to the United States than to employment
"We need steel mills for national security." He said, adding, "If you do not have steel, you do not have a country."
The President said that he "thinks" US Steel plans to open or develop seven new factories, a statement he has repeated in recent speeches. But US Steel has not confirmed any such expansion outside of the resumption of work at the Granite City plant, with the announcement of the most recent expansion on its website. mentioning only Granite City Works. Jobs in the fall in Granite City, although the company said that 800 workers will be back to work in the fall.
Trump has been on stage for over 50 minutes at the Granite City factory.
Trump announced Wednesday his efforts to work with the European Union on reducing tariffs on products such as steel, aluminum and soy, according to the Associated Press. . He and European leaders agreed to open talks to break down trade barriers, a decision he described Thursday as a "breakthrough."
Trump called the agreement "fair and reciprocal", during Thursday's speech. While Trump says the EU According to the Illinois Farm Bureau, China bought 31% of all US soybean production in 2016.
"America never surrenders," said Mr. Trump in an address to workers at the Granite City factory. "We do not brandish the white flag."
The president's supporters gathered on 19th Street in Granite City around noon. Lisa Uhlemeyer, born and raised in Granite City, is a Trump supporter who credits her with steel jobs in her hometown. She said that she does not believe in "false news" about farmers suffering because of tariffs, although she acknowledges that some might need money from the program. $ 12 billion help. Everyone will be back because we have the biggest farms in the world.
Protesters began to gather at the Civic Park at the same time. Robyne Omara of the anti Trump Action East Metro organization said they were there to "express our dissatisfaction" with the Trump administration and the rates.
Omara said she was "very excited" for Granite City Works to reopen, but prices are hurting farmers in Illinois. "They do not want a present," she said of the program.
The Kasprovich family, originally from Granite City, left Ohio for Trump's visit. The family has a parent who works in the steel mill. "He (Trump) saved the steel mill," said Hilary Kasprovich.
Before Trump even arrives in St. Louis -area, the Union of United Steelworkers showed his pport for the Democratic opponent of Bost in November
"Mike Bost betrayed our nation when he voted This is not only detrimental to the Steelworkers – it has devastated southern Illinois, "said USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap. "U.S.W. Members are proud to be with our brother, Brendan Kelly, who will put the workers of Southern Illinois first."
Larry Allen, of Moro, poses with a Donald Trump chair cut out of cardboard Thursday afternoon while he was waiting along the roadside processions for Trump to arrive in Granite City
Joseph Bustos [19659038] [email protected]
Fast Track Authority gives the President the ability to negotiate trade agreements, which Congress can approve or deny, but not change.
The President's visit coincides with the close race between Bost and Kelly, the St. Clair County attorney. Vice President Mike Pence visited the area last week to support Bost in this race. Green Party candidate Randy Auxier is also on the fall newsletter
Just like the Vice President's visit to the region, Trump's visit to Granite City was greeted with protesters and supporters.
Betsy Ann, 43 from Granite City, came with signs supporting Trump to watch the procession pass.
"It's extremely important," Ann said. "He's getting the mill back to work, a lot of people need jobs, he's providing jobs in our area."
Larry Allen, a retired metallurgist, said that "there's a lot of jobs." he was glad the mill was up and running, he said that he thought farmers should see only short-term problems. "
" I think farmers will end up being happy, "Allen said .
Paula Shelton is holding a corn stalk from her farm as she sings with anti-Trump protesters Thursday in downtown Granite City. Shelton is against new commercial rates and has a farm where she lives in Donnellson. The corn stalk that she brought with her has three ears of corn on it. She joked, her husband would be angry at her for the loss of a fraction of a penny of farm yield.
Steve Nagy [email protected]
Among the protesters was Paula Shelton, a farmer from Montgomery. County. She said that she saw her income drop by 35%, and she does not want an emergency program.
"It's going to cost taxpayers and it's a band-aid. We do not want a bailout. "
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has stated that the President needed a comprehensive and focused strategy to address trade problems.
" The President has been conducting an aggressive effort to combat business disadvantages, "said Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Maisch. "However, we also urge the President to consider not only the new jobs that he is celebrating today, but also the potential job losses and jobs that will never be created as a result of the current tariff battle with our trading partners.
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