Kelly tours AK Steel for info on tariffs
BUTLER TWP — U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, toured the AK Steel plant Wednesday to learn how the nation's only electrical steel plant would be affected by President Donald Trump's new tariffs on steel.
Kelly, clad in a fire retardant jumpsuit, hard hat and safety goggles, was impressed with the production lines he viewed at the plant and the men and women who operated them.
“I have lived here all my life,” said the Butler native, “and I wanted to see where the finest steel in the USA is made by the finest employees.”
Kelly said many exclusions exist in the 25 percent tariff Trump in March placed on imported steel. He came to AK to learn how the tariff would affect the company's products and personnel.
Kelly planned to take the information he picked up back to Washington and share it with policymakers so the electrical steel made at AK would not be hurt by the tariff.
“I can talk about production specifically so the final policy enhances (AK's) ability to compete,” Kelly said.
AK plant manager Aaron Steinheiser said the tariff must be expanded to include not only electrical steel imports, but the “cores” the specialty steel is made of.
Steinheiser explained that if the U.S. imported cores, it would allow foreign exporters an avenue to get around the tariff.
Kelly vowed to the handful of workers and several managers assembled in the electric box anneal (EBA) department that he will fight for electrical steel in Washington.
“We can't afford to lose this type of product,” Kelly said.
He also recognizes the importance of the plant as an employer in Butler for several generations as Armco and then AK Steel.
“Butler's existence over the years comes down to this plant,” Kelly said. “It's a very important part of Butler.”
The congressman also was interested to hear what the rank-and-file employees in the plant had to say.
“I asked them if they are confident about the future, because for all of us, it's about jobs,” Kelly said.
He said the workers are optimistic about their future and the future of AK Steel.
“The relationship between the company and the workforce, these guys are a team,” Kelly said.
Paul Hancheck, an ironworker at the mill, said he appreciated Kelly's visit.
“It's good to let the government know how important AK Steel is, since we're the only company producing electrical steel in the U.S.,” Hancheck said. “We don't want to be dependent on a foreign country.”
Kelly seemed to enjoy the hours he spent Wednesday at AK, especially talking to the workers.
“I see the spirit and determination of the workforce,” he said.
