Bonnie Long, a fourth-generation steelworker, makes the armor plating our troops need to stay safe. He’s also fighting to protect America’s vital industries.
The Federation of American Manufacturing recently New reports They called for stronger policy measures to counter China’s massive, unchecked excess capacity, warning that failure to do so would lead to devastating losses of jobs and production in the United States.
But we know that hearing only from us is not enough: sometimes it’s easier to make sense of things when we hear from the people whose lives are most affected by what’s happening.
Therefore, as part of the report, Shock Waves: The ripple effects of China’s over-industrialization on American manufacturing and factory workersWe also spoke to people working in industries like steel, paper and tires who have seen the devastation caused by the surge in imports.
Vonnie Long knows firsthand how important America’s steel industry is to our national and economic security.
Long has been in the business for nearly 30 years. Cleveland Cliffs CoatesvilleLong, a steel plate manufacturer, opened in 1810 and is the longest operating steel mill in the country. Today, the Coatesville plant is best known for producing military alloy and steel plate products. Navy Veteranserved in Iraq and Afghanistan during the wars, helping to produce the steel needed to protect American troops on the battlefield.
But Mr. Long has seen firsthand the damage the global steel overcapacity crisis has caused to the steel industry over the decades, including plant closures and job cuts, and he said government responses don’t seem to be enough.
Part of the problem is that the U.S. hasn’t been aggressive enough when it comes to trade enforcement, and when it does take action, it’s “always too late,” Long said in an interview.
In most cases, workers and manufacturers must prove they were harmed by unfairly traded imports, a process that can take years and be expensive. Even if they win their trade cases, that’s likely not enough.
“There must always be an injury before relief is given, but relief does not seem to make up for losses,” Long added.
Another example: In 2017, President Trump announced a national security investigation under Section 232 into steel imports, which ultimately led to the President imposing 25% tariffs. Widely credited with getting the U.S. steel industry back on trackThis will allow steel companies to make important investments to modernize their steel plants and even start rehiring workers.
But what people forget, Long said, is that the original Section 232 investigation was long overdue. Featured in an article in Time magazine At the time, imports surged as foreign competitors flooded the U.S. market ahead of the tariffs.
All of this, Nearby steelworks Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
“Conshohocken was affected enough to shut down production and actually move workers to our facility,” Long recalled. “To this day, many of them are still with us. They have not returned to Conshohocken.”
Long, who served as president of Local 165 of the United Steelworkers union, also believes not enough is being done to redress the losses workers suffered when plants were closed. Expiration of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) advantage For workers One example is people who have lost their jobs due to unfair trade.
“Policies need to be more focused on workers,” Long said. “We’re seeing relief for employers, but it seems like benefits for workers have to beg.”
Long later added that the TAA is “something that should never expire and something that we shouldn’t have to constantly beg for.”
Despite the challenges facing the industry, Long remains hopeful that American steel will continue for decades to come.
“I want to see my grandchildren and their children doing this kind of work. I won’t be around for this, but I want to believe that American steelmaking will continue to thrive well beyond my generation,” Long said. “I know we have a cleaner steel industry, and I’m biased, but I think it’s better than a lot of foreign manufacturing.”
