STEELTON, Pa. — Vice President Kamala Harris announced her opposition to the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japanese corporation Nippon Steel on Monday, joining President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in their opposition.
U.S. Steel, which is based in Pittsburgh and is widely synonymous with the Pennsylvania steel industry, directly employs over 3,700 workers in the Commonwealth.
Leaders in steel-dependent areas of Central Pennsylvania say the united opposition against the purchase is a positive sign.
"I'm happy to see that we have bipartisan unilateral support for not selling U.S. companies to foreign entities," said State Representative Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin), who represents Steelton and its historic steel plant.
The Steelton plant, the oldest steel plant in America, operated under foreign ownership before its 2020 purchase by Cleveland Cliffs. Madsen says that period left Steelton and its workers in limbo.
"There was a lot of uncertainty," Madsen said. "We had a lot of foreign companies come in and purchase the mill over the years, and didn't quite live up to the community's expectations in terms of creating more jobs and investing in the community."
Nippon Steel announced the agreement to purchase U.S. Steel in December of 2023. The transaction has come under government scrutiny since and is opposed by the United Steelworkers union.
Cleveland Cliffs, the owner of the Steelton plant, previously made its offer to purchase the historic corporation but was rebuffed in favor of Nippon.
Madsen says the Steelton community has had a strong relationship with Cleveland Cliffs, and that a purchase by them would likely strengthen the steel industry across the Commonwealth.
"Cleveland Cliffs took over here, and it's been a game changer for this area," Madsen said. "The mill is hiring at a record level. we see them out and about in our community. so I would be very happy for anybody to work with them."
A president has the power to block a foreign transaction based on national security.
Cleveland Cliffs has not responded for comment.