U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, called on U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai and the Biden administration to prioritize trade deals that strengthen national security and make America more competitive.

According to a news release from Kelly’s office, the congressman highlighted the significance of the nation's only grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) production facility, the Butler-based Cleveland Cliffs-Butler Works plant that employees 1,400 workers, during the full Ways & Means Committee hearing.

Kelly said GOES is an essential component of power transformers that provide electricity to homes and businesses. He said relying on foreign nations to produce GOES weakens national security and makes the country dependent on others for electric supply.

"We have lost so much market share in this country over the years because of foreign competition that refuses to play on a level playing field," Kelly said. "We have a real clear and present danger, globally, because we have lost market share."