Iron Range layoffs come in wake of tariffs meant to protect steel industry
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About 600 Iron Range mine workers could be laid off by May, potentially spending six months off the job.
This comes a little over a week after President Donald Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports and Canada retaliated with its own 25 percent tax.
“Right now, the car industry is coming to grips with the fact that these tariffs don't appear to be a bargaining chip,” said Tony Barrett, professor emeritus in economics at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. “It’s almost like a little seizure here.”
American steel company, Cleveland-Cliffs announced the layoffs at two of their mines on the Iron Range. In a statement, the company said it would temporarily close the Minorca Mine in Virginia, Minn., and partially idle the nearby Hibbing Taconite plant. Barrett said that although there is looming uncertainty with tariffs and layoffs, he doesn’t see these mines closing for good.
“There is going to be demand for steel, and the Iron Range is where you get the iron ore in this country,” he said. “They’re used to shutdowns. It’s just, somewhat ironic it’s happening at a time when tariffs are supposedly protecting the steel industry.”
Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.
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