Cleveland Cliffs Idles Steel Plants, Blaming Weak Demand Amidst Trump Tariff Debate
Cleveland-Cliffs announced the indefinite idling of three steel plants—two in Pennsylvania and one in Illinois—affecting approximately 950 workers, starting June 30th. This decision, attributed to weak demand and pricing for specific products like high-carbon steel sheets, is unrelated to tariffs. The company emphasizes that flat-rolled steel production remains unaffected. While some mines and another steel plant are also idled, Cleveland-Cliffs anticipates restarting its Cleveland blast furnace and a Michigan plant contingent on improved automotive production.
John Q. Hosedrinker