This year, hundreds and hundreds of Northland workers have been sidelined or laid off, taking a heavy toll on families and communities throughout the region. The news that Cliffs will idle its Northshore Mining Operation is yet another blow to our domestic mining industry, which has been harmed by unfairly priced steel imports being dumped into American markets. The idling also serves as a stark reminder that we must step up the fight on behalf of our workers and producers.
Minnesota’s iron ore and steel producers can compete with anyone in the world when there’s a level playing field. But the field isn’t level, and we can’t let it continue to tilt. One of my highest priorities in the Senate is to help protect our workers and businesses from unfair trade practices. That’s why I backed legislation to strengthen trade laws, and I’ve also called on the Commerce Department to address steel dumping. And I’m going to be doing everything I can to support the industry. We also need to make sure we have assistance in place to help these affected workers.
We’ve seen far too many families and businesses hurt because of unfair steel dumping, and I am committed to stopping the job losses and economic hurt in Northern Minnesota.
U.S. Senator Al Franken
Washington, D.C.
Leave a Reply