Lawmakers Split on Japan’s Deal to Acquire Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The state’s top Republican senator says the money isn’t there to save the Pittsburgh-based steel giant, she supports its sale to Japan’s Nippon Steel.

The $14 Billion deal was proposed in December. The Biden Administration could approve or reject it in the next few weeks.

Senate President Kim Ward is calling on Governor Josh Shapiro to publicly state whether or not he is for this.

 The proposed deal would bring U.S. Steel under Japan’s Nippon Steel. It is a deal that united political foes in an election year who opposed it. Bob Casey and Dave McCormick both gave their views during their debate at abc27 in October, both saying the U.S. should do something.

“My concern about Nippon is it would be a foreign-owned steel company buying the iconic us steel business and putting at risk those union steelworker jobs,” Casey said.

McCormick stated, “In cases of national security where a domestic steel industry truly is important for America’s future you have to intervene.” And while he was on the campaign trail in PA, Donald Trump also said he was against the sale.

“I think everything that was said before the election is basically political and that’s over now,” Ward said. “Let’s move on. Let’s save these jobs.”

Senate President Ward wants the deal, she says, to protect 3,000 jobs, and more than 3 billion a year in economic impact. For her it’s personal. Her dad worked in steel in the 80’s downturn.

“My dad lost everything,” Ward said “He lost his pension. He lost everything.”

Ward trusts Nippon’s promise to honor union contracts and invest more than a billion dollars in the PA plant.

“It is just unthinkable that we would let this go when U.S. Steel has clearly stated time and again that they do not have the funds to improve the Mon Valley,” Ward said. “They will not be investing there because they don’t have the funds.”

Ward is cheerleading the sale and she wrote a letter to Governor Shapiro asking if the state’s top Democrat shares her view.

“I want to just ask him to tell us and tell the people that are depending on these jobs,” Ward said. “Where he stands, is he working toward Nippon, being able to purchase U.S. Steel.”

The governor’s spokesman won’t answer the direct question but insists Shapiro has been aggressively involved in negotiations. Adding, “Governor Shapiro isn’t focused on social media posts or leaking letters. He has picked up the phone, gotten in the room, and is working directly with key parties to see if a deal can be reached that protects Pennsylvania jobs.”

Nippon has taken its pitch public, by advertising it. Despite slick ads, the governor’s not tipping his hand. Perhaps that’s strategic. But Ward’s cards are on the table and she’s all in.

“What are we going to call the Steelers,” Ward said. “You know, I mean, this is truly our heritage and we need to work to save it.”

 Courtesy: www.abc27.com