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* Kinda puts Gov. Rauner in a bind. From the Belleville News-Democrat…
President Donald Trump announced Sunday he plans to visit Granite City on Thursday, where a U.S. Steel Corp. mill reopened in March.
While Trump has not specified the reason for his visit, about 800 employees have been called back to work for the U.S. Steel Corp since Trump announced he would be placing tariffs on foreign steel in March.
The tariffs were aimed mainly at China, which had been accused of dumping steel into the U.S. market at lower costs.
In a press release in March, U.S. Steel Corp said the change was due to an anticipated demand for steel in the United States due to Trump’s announcement in March that the federal government would impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports.
Trump mentioned U.S. Steel at the White House’s Roosevelt Room during a ceremony surrounding the tariffs, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The newspaper reported that Trump said the reopening of the Granite City plant is a “big one” and thought it was the start of many closed plants reopening across the country.
As we’ve already discussed, the plant supplies the Texas oil industry with pipe, and that state’s oil industry is rebounding because of high prices.
* There’s also this…
Simmons, president of the Steelworkers Local, said they have been advocating for the reopening of the plant for years. While Simmons said Trump’s announcement poised them in a position to reopen, market trends indicated the mill could have reopened long before Trump’s announcement.
“Conditions and market trends have been inching up enough for us to start up without the trade case,” he said.
“We should have started up a few times. They had some missed opportunities on making some good profits. They were wanting such securities (the tariffs),” he said.
Six weeks before the facility’s closure was announced, Simmons said they completed a trial for high-strength steel and were the only facility in North America capable of creating it due to their advanced equipment. This high-quality grade of steel was of interest to automakers like Nissan, which wanted the steel for its 2018 Nissan Altima model.
…Adding… Just in from the Pritzker campaign…
his Thursday, Donald Trump will be in Granite City, Illinois, but will Bruce Rauner join him?
Rauner has spent the last month cozying up to Trump — praising his policies and calling his Vice President one of the “greatest leaders in American history.” But as the Chicago Tribune reports, “embracing the president can create political hurdles, especially after the governor has tried to avoid addressing the president’s almost daily controversies throughout much of his first term.” So, will Rauner appear with Trump in Illinois on Thursday?
“From his silent partner to a vocal supporter, Bruce Rauner has been Donald Trump’s staunch ally while his hatred and devastating policies wreck Illinois,” said Pritzker campaign spokesman Jason Rubin. “Will Rauner fully embrace or run scared of Trump when he comes to Illinois?”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Not unexpected, but decent snark from McCann…
#ILGov Rauner says he doesn’t plan to go to Granite City to welcome POTUS Thursday.
— Rick Pearson (@rap30) July 23, 2018
— Sam McCann (@mccann_sam) July 23, 2018
*** UPDATE 2 *** The governor’s full explanation…
Illinois @GovRauner says he will not be in metro east for Thursday's visit from @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. Watch: pic.twitter.com/lpxmghwqrQ
— Bishop On Air (@BishopOnAir) July 23, 2018
* Related…
* Rauner embrace of Trump means more questions about president
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 9:33 am
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The steel mill reopening is good news for those 800 employees. Too bad about soybean farmers
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 9:38 am
The governor of a state should always welcome a sitting president.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 9:41 am
–As we’ve already discussed, the plant supplies the Texas oil industry with pipe, and that state’s oil industry is rebounding because of high prices.–
Take it easy, fella. It’s a post-truth era, get with the program.
China accounts for two percent of steel imports. Obviously, farmers have to be wiped out for that.
https://www.trade.gov/steel/countries/pdfs/imports-us.pdf
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 9:44 am
The US just made a zero tariff offer to the EU. But they have rejected that.
Zero Tariffs seems pretty reasonable to me.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:24 am
Rauner is in a bind, not only does he need to handle the Trump question but he also needs to figure out how explain why his state that he says is terrible for business and has a low quality workforce just opened up a steel plant.
Who I am kidding, he’ll just blame Madigan and call it a day.
Comment by ItsMillerTime Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:25 am
–The US just made a zero tariff offer to the EU. But they have rejected that.–
What do steel tariffs have to do with the EU, Einstein? Maybe check the numbers on steel imported from the EU?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:38 am
“It’s a post-truth era”
When did that era start? Just curious…
Comment by Saluki Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:49 am
Maybe the better question is will Trump appear with Rauner. lol.
Comment by cdog Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:51 am
–Just curious…–
Really? You’ve always struck me as very incurious.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:52 am
Trump’s actions will decimate many farmers in every county and city in the state. The scale of family farms operating on pretty thin margins already are now, so far upside down, they cannot make $. Circumstances do not bode well for the whole of Illinois where AG is #1 industry.
Comment by flea Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:52 am
Word,
Trumps is advocating with both Asia and EU that all tariffs should be eliminated. Right now the US job creators have to battle those overseas companies with one hand tied behind their back.
Surely you don’t support a trade arrangement with the EU that allows them to tax our imports at a level that is 4 times what we tax theirs?
Because that is what so many previous administrations (Rep. and Dem.) have allowed.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:57 am
Rauner is probably planning a trade mission to Italy on Thursday;) Maybe Sue can fill in for him at Granite City. Doubt we’ll see the same “victory” pose that Rauner and Pence had, though.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:58 am
=Zero Tariffs seems pretty reasonable to me.=
So Trump said that he will end subsidies, incentives, and other special deals for American businesses and Farmers?
That is why the EU have some of the Tariffs. Tariffs are only part of the deal and Trump is being disingenuous when he ignores the government supports for American business.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:01 am
Per several articles, there seems to be a lot of inferior steel in the world-wide steel market. India just tightened up the screws, big time.
There was a national security component to this decision to insure that basic infrastructure and defense manufacturing was available sans any world-wide unrest.
Good leadership and it scales well. You would never put your families safety and security in the hands of a questionably-motivated second or third party. At least, I hope not.
Comment by cdog Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:01 am
–Trumps is advocating with both Asia and EU that all tariffs should be eliminated.–
Oh please, you pretend like he’s thought it through and know’s what he’s doing. It’s all spin to distract from the Russia.
Trump didn’t even know that the EU was a collective trading alliance until recently. If he remembers that.
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-repeats-claim-that-germany-can-negotiate-trade-outside-of-eu-2017-3
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:07 am
==Obviously, farmers have to be wiped out for that.==
To be fair, farmers voted for trump. Also if all of the media outlets in the country are to be believed, every single one of them still supports him even though they might get run out of business. If supporting trump and re-electing his republican enablers in congress is higher on their priority list than keeping their market share and continuing to operate their farms at a profit, who are we to argue?
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:16 am
If Rauner attends this event, will he be handing out cash?
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:18 am
See y’all in Granite.
Comment by BlueDogDem Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:20 am
By the way. I have reached out to the McCann camp if they would like some VIP treatment.
Comment by BlueDogDem Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:34 am
-It’s all spin to distract from the Russia.-
Word,
Come on. You are better than that. Let’s debate the issue of tariffs rather than using deflection.
Do you favor eliminating all tariffs?
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:41 am
===Let’s debate the issue of tariffs rather than using deflection.===
Don’t poke the bear. You’re out of your depth here Downstate. This is not the debate you’re looking for.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:48 am
-You’re out of your depth here-
Does Word have some special insight?
I’d love for him to share. Clearly he’s got more to offer than trying to connect tariffs to Russia.
I would appreciate his insight. I only get my information from reading, as we cut the cable awhile ago.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:57 am
—I only get my information from reading.
Sorry, meant to add that I read “Golden” this weekend. Very detailed insight into Governor Blago and his travails.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 11:59 am
@Downstate, you want to engage but only on your terms.
That isn’t how it works unless you are a spoiled CEO.
It is a long standing and well known tactic in politics to use one issue to distract or redirect attention from another more serious issue. If you don’t understand that concept and see it happening in today’s presidential politics then that is on you.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 12:20 pm
@Downstate - You might want to query the U.S. auto industry on how they feel about the idea of zero tariffs.
Today light truck sales are where most of them earn their profits. The 25% tariff that would apply to EU truck sales today takes away any incentive. But I’m sure that Ford and GM will welcome the competition.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:00 pm
JS Mill & Pundent
I simply asked if Word was in favor of eliminating all tariffs. Seems like a fairly simple question.
Seems to me that there are three choices with regard to Tariffs.
1. Keep them the way they are.
2. Eliminate them.
3. Or renegotiate them.
I favor #2 or #3 above.
It would seem that when given the above options, a few people on here would respond, “RUSSIA!”.
I may be out of my depth, but I’m simply asking a fairly simple question.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:18 pm
So to make this more uncomfortable for the Governor, The Governor should be asked about why Trump keeps saying six new or renovated plants are coming online when it’s just Granite City. Because why not give the Governor more awkward questions to answer.
Comment by Archpundit Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:43 pm
After that lip lock on pence a week or so ago, I am just shocked, shocked I tell you, that 1.4% is avoiding the greatest president in history.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:43 pm
—I may be out of my depth, but I’m simply asking a fairly simple question.
Except it was pointed out that it isn’t a simple question. The United States has many non-tariff barriers that you have to negotiate on in trade talks too. Some of those I won’t give away such as environmental regulation.
Comment by Archpundit Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:45 pm
Rauner apparently has no suitable costume for the occasion.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 1:45 pm
Take a page out of “Where’s Rodney?” and someone should take a life size cardboard cutout of Rauner (costume of your choice) to the “rally”.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:00 pm
AA, check out the guy second from the left. I think Rauner would look good in a hard hat.
https://www.discogs.com/Village-People-Macho-Man/release/259139
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:31 pm
@Downstate - Here’s a suggestion. Before asking for people to identify a “solution” perhaps it would help if you could articulate the problem you’re trying to solve.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:38 pm
Rauner won’t go because he’d be photographed with Trump. Also he’d have to shake hands and get his thin body yanked forward by the Trumpian handshake.
Comment by James Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:39 pm
“Rauner would look good in a hard hat.” He’s already worn that costume a time or two. He hasn’t been able to get one that says governor printed on it.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 2:45 pm
What are the odds that trump, either in his remarks in GC or on his twitter account afterwards, blasts Rauner for not showing up? If McCann can somehow snag an introduction to everyone’s all-time favorite President and does the required slobbering, it’s almost assured to happen.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 3:22 pm
47, I’m sure he could find things to fill up the tool belt as well.
If Springfield’s own Kent Gray is advancing Trump’s visit, McCann could get handcuffs instead of a handshake if he ventures too close to the bubble.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 4:14 pm
AA, if that’s the case, Trump should double-check the railings. /s
(Sorry, Kent, couldn’t help myself)
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 4:20 pm
I know lots of proTrump steelworkers. Lots. I know of no pro Rauner steelworkers. Just sayin.
Comment by BlueDogDem Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 5:01 pm
Rich, lol. I’m sure he’s learned from that oopsie.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 9:13 pm
–By the way. I have reached out to the McCann camp if they would like some VIP treatment.–
I really don’t want to know anymore about “reaching out” and “VIP treatment.”
Dude, get a grip. Or, if so, maybe not tell anyone about it.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 9:32 pm
All of the soybean farmers in Illinois should attend with their pitchforks in hand.
Comment by M Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:14 pm
–I know lots of proTrump steelworkers. Lots. I know of no pro Rauner steelworkers. –
Do you not remember that you are a self-admitted troll?
“Troll I am,” you wrote?
Do you have no pride, or no one who can help steer you away, from your sad quest for attention, in the worst way?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 18 @ 10:49 pm