Today, Joe Biden officially blocked Japan-based company Nippon Steel’s takeover of Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel, citing national security implications.
The move is sure to please unions, and Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman took to Twitter after Biden’s move and cited his concern for workers in strongly opposing the deal.
It started on my roof and it ends here:
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) January 3, 2025
Stood with @steelworkers then, throughout, today, and always—that will never change.
Union steel in the Valley is sacred and must endure.
My vote + voice follows that spirit, the unions, and the union way of life. https://t.co/iYHVLZibKe pic.twitter.com/JfqPI5ijnF
Btw, when this was first discussed, Fetterman cited national security implications (“steel is always about security”), so — in effect — his opposition has to do with unions + national security implications.
2028 TAKE-AWAY:
Fetterman’s name doesn’t pop up much on 2028 presidential lists, but I think he’s worth following, and a fellow Pennsylvanian who most definitely IS interested in 2028 (Gov. Josh Shapiro) has approached the issue of the takeover more delicately.
If there were some scenario where the two squared off (I’m doubtful), then Fetterman would probably gain some bragging rights among union workers for being a more steadfast opponent of the deal.
