Brown Statement on Idling of Cleveland-Cliffs Weirton Facility | U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released the below statement following the news that Cleveland-Cliffs will permanently idle its Weirton, WV facility that employs many Ohioans in Jefferson County. Earlier this month, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) released a negative determination in a crucial case affecting Ohio’s tin mill industry. Brown testified before the ITC on behalf of Ohio steelworkers, urging them to extend anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) to ensure the industry gets sufficient relief from the unfair trade practices of foreign competitors. Brown toured the Weirton facility and heard from workers in September.

“When China cheats our trade laws and our trade enforcement isn’t strong enough to keep up, Ohio workers pay the price. It happens over and over, and today once again, Ohio steelworkers are facing the worst news any worker can get on the job,” said Brown. “I’ve been to their plant and I’ve seen how talented and dedicated these workers are – they could compete with anyone if given a fair shot. I will never stop fighting for them and for this community, and to level the playing field for Ohio workers.”

Brown has long championed the Ohio steel industry, advocating to the Commerce Department and the ITC on behalf of Ohio steel companies and their workers and advancing legislation to strengthen American trade enforcement. In addition to testifying before the ITC, last year Brown led a bipartisan letter to the Commerce Department and the ITC expressing support for the AD/CVD petitions filed by Cleveland-Cliffs and the USW. Brown also urged U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to continue to guard against political and foreign interference in the trade enforcement process, ensure American workers and American companies can compete on a level playing field, and address unfair and illegal trade practices.

Brown has introduced numerous bipartisan bills to strengthen U.S. trade enforcement, including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act to strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws and ensure they remain effective tools to fight back against unfair trade practices and protect American workers. 

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