U.S. President Donald Trump speaks within the Oval Office on the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Sept. 19, 2025.
Ken Cedeno | Reuters
The Trump administration stepped in to cease U.S. Steel from idling operations at its Granite City, Ill., plant, exercising new powers tied to the corporate’s current takeover, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The steelmaker had knowledgeable practically 800 employees that the plant would shut in November, noting nonetheless that they might nonetheless be paid. But after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned CEO Dave Burritt the administration would not permit it, U.S. Steel reversed course on Friday, saying the power would preserve rolling slabs into sheet metal, the Journal reported, citing an individual conversant in the matter.
The intervention marked Trump’s first use of so-called “golden share” rights, a situation of the $14.1 billion takeover by Japan’s Nippon that cleared in June. The national-security settlement gave the White House veto energy over plant closures, offshore manufacturing shifts and different strategic selections.
“U. S. Steel will continue to supply slabs to Granite City,” a spokesperson for U.S. Steel informed CNBC. “Our goal was to maintain flexibility, and we are pleased to have found a solution to continue to slab consumption at Granite City.”
The transfer highlights Trump’s rising hand within the personal sector. Last month, the president stated the federal government would take a 10% stake in Intel, after the chipmaker obtained billions in subsidies beneath the 2022 Chips Act.
In June, when the deal was introduced, Trump informed U.S. Steel employees that Nippon can be a “great partner.” The Trump administration is at present engaged in commerce talks with Japan as buyers eagerly await indicators that the U.S. will strike offers with key companions that keep away from steep tariffs.
Trump informed the steelworkers that Nippon had agreed to maintain U.S. Steel’s blast furnaces working at full capability for no less than 10 years. The president stated the deal wouldn’t lead to layoffs and promised there can be “no outsourcing whatsoever.” At the time, he stated employees would obtain a $5,000 bonus.