Harris to Challenge U.S. Steel Sale to Japanese Firm at Pittsburgh Event

On Labor Day, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to join President Joe Biden for a campaign appearance in Pittsburgh, where she will emphasize the need for U.S. Steel to remain under American ownership. This statement aligns with the Biden administration’s earlier opposition to U.S. Steel’s sale to Japan’s Nippon Steel.

According to a campaign official, Harris will assert that U.S. Steel should remain “domestically owned and operated,” reinforcing her commitment to American steel workers. This announcement continues the stance taken by Biden earlier this year when he voiced concerns over the sale, asserting that American steel companies should primarily employ American workers.

“U.S. Steel has been an iconic American company for more than a century, and it should remain a totally American company,” Biden expressed during a visit to the United Steelworkers headquarters in April. “American-owned and operated by American union steelworkers, the best in the world. And that’s going to happen. I promise you,” he added.

The agreement for Nippon Steel to acquire U.S. Steel was made in December, with U.S. Steel indicating that the merger is expected to complete during the latter half of 2024, pending customary closing conditions and necessary U.S. regulatory approvals.

Biden and Harris will participate in Pittsburgh’s Labor Day parade, a significant event celebrating the contributions of labor in the U.S.

This announcement from Harris marks a crucial policy position for the vice president, particularly as she has provided relatively few specific policy proposals since Biden’s endorsement of her candidacy in July after he stepped down from seeking reelection. Her campaign has relied more on broad economic visions rather than concrete policy plans.

In the initial weeks of her campaign, Harris has aimed to strike a balance between positioning herself as a “new way forward” while remaining loyal to Biden’s past policies. This balancing act is particularly complex given her role as vice president, where she has supported the administration’s initiatives over the last four years.

Harris’ campaign team claims that her ascent in the campaign has re-energized voters in key swing state Pennsylvania, noting that thousands of new volunteers have signed up to support her and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee.

As part of an aggressive push in battleground states, Harris and Biden will be attending one of the country’s largest Labor Day parades, just two months ahead of Election Day. Before the Pittsburgh event, Harris is scheduled to participate in a campaign event in Detroit.

Harris has focused on connecting with voters by portraying herself as a departure from divisive political rhetoric, specifically distancing herself from former President Donald Trump. At the same time, she seeks to transcend the policies tied to the Biden administration.

Her approach at campaign events contrasts with Biden’s, which often feature smaller audiences. Yet, her focus on pivotal issues—such as lowering prescription drug costs, defending the Affordable Care Act, economic growth, and now her position regarding U.S. Steel—remains aligned with President Biden’s agenda.

“We fight for a future where we build what I call an opportunity economy, so that every American has the chance to own a home, start a business, and build intergenerational wealth,” Harris stated at a recent rally, echoing Biden’s vision of economic growth from the ground up.

Additionally, Harris has vowed to tackle inflation by lowering grocery costs while proposing tax cuts and incentives aimed at promoting home ownership. She has suggested eliminating federal taxes on tips for service workers, further diversifying her policy recommendations.

In recent weeks, Harris briefly shared the stage with Biden following his speech during the Democratic National Convention. Since the ticket swap, they have continued to appear at official events together, showcasing their collaborative efforts in the campaign.