Allegheny Technologies, Inc. announced today it plans to shut down its Midland plant in Western Pennsylvania, affecting about 70 workers. However, according to local news reports, the shutdown is not related to the Covid-19 outbreak, but rather Section 232 steel tariffs.
In a statement to media, CEO Robert Wetherbee said the company had sought a tariff exclusion in March 2018 for the steel slab it imports from India as feedstock for the 60-inch stainless steel sheet the plant produces. The first request was rejected, and a second request reportedly received no response.
Officials at the plant reportedly said the facility could be restarted if tariff policies are “substantially changed.”