Secretary Wright Announces Investments in American Steel Making in Pennsylvania - October 6th, 2026

What? What did you say? Ok, I understand. It's a pleasure to be here at home, far from home, in Butler, Pennsylvania, a sacred place. for many reasons. Our president survived an attempt on his life here in Butler, Pennsylvania. and through the direct intervention of God. But this happened here in Butler, Pennsylvania. This plant, at the beginning of March 2020, when I was still prepared to close The acquisition of AK Steel by Cleveland Cliffs was isolated to close. In fact, several of you here who were working here at that time knew What was happening. Well, I sat in a meeting with a Caucasus style, in Washington, D.C., where I I clearly stated to Congress and to Trump's administration at the time, Trump 1.0, that I would say the last plant in this country to produce electric models, because It would be absolutely idiotic, stupid, unless you call it the name you want. to leave the last plant producing electric styles to go away. People talk about national security, and style matters, and the country needs it. produce electric styles. Let me explain how it works for this plant, because there are several different explanations. But this is very easy to understand. We must produce electric styles in this country. We must produce colors and laminations in this country. We must produce transformers in this country. Why? Otherwise, we'll have to import all the transformers we use in this country. Transformers are used to transmit electricity and to change voltage levels, so that power can be transmitted efficiently. The electricity from point A to point B. You know this very well. The problem is that a transformer is a black box that can be assembled from stones. in front of your house, or built of stones at point A on your street. They may be in your neighborhood, they may be in a hospital, they may be in a hydroelectric or thermal power generation installation, They could be within a high-security military operation of the United States from America. It's so easy to hide a device that would allow that transformer, or transformers, and all transformers were remotely shut down from places like North Korea, Or China, or Libya, or Syria, or whatever it may be. And we cannot rely on these countries to protect us. These countries will not protect us. They know how to protect themselves. Japan does not allow Chinese companies to manufacture transformers in Japan. But they won't be calm about allowing the Chinese to transport goods to Japan. The same thing with Mexico, the same thing with Canada. That is why transformers must be produced in the United States. And we can produce transformers only if we produce colors and laminations. We can produce colors and laminations only if the Butler works. No Butler, Pennsylvania is operational. That plant was falling. We saved her. We improved it. We enhance your capabilities. We have made the armament technology well known. This is our American technology, in place for over 100 years. That's what this plant is all about. When we walk through here, as we've just finished a journey, And when I see the old buildings, I get emotional. Because the United States are the United States. The United States is the world's superpower. because we have things like Butler Works. Otherwise, it wouldn't be the United States, but something different. So, the Trump administration, President Trump, the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary Lutnick, Secretary-General Audrey Robertson, Secretary-General William Kimmel and several others, Secretary-General Jameson Breer. We are doing the work of the peoples of the United States, protecting it still, to protect national security. That's what we do here. I am so happy with you all, with my people here at Butler PA, with the UAW-3303, with my friend James Sycheck Who will be the next speaker to talk here. It's us, us—the people, the businesses, the workers— politicians such as Mike Kelly, Congressman Kelly, who have been fighting with me since the beginning, from day one. I truly appreciate your support, my friend. I want you to know that Mike works hard to keep this plant open with me. I will never forget this. Mike Kelly and I will stand side by side, no matter what happens. That's what friends do for friends. And the friends proved themselves in times of battle, not in times of peace. The fight is not over. Cliff continues to fight for survival every single day. We are making money now. That's great. We wouldn't be making money if the President of the United States weren't Donald J. Trump. If we didn't have a House and a Senate that support the policies that need to pass. Keep this in mind. Do not let the dirty word out there defile your speech. Hold the deep word. You all here at Butler Works, the UAW Local 3303 workers, and the non-union Butler Works employees, You know what I'm talking about. Hold the word. We need to keep doing what we are doing. We are saving our country. We are preparing for the future. We are doing what the founding parents and those who came after them did. We are continuing the task of building the most important thing that has ever happened in the world. And it is the United States of America. For us, for our children, our grown children. That's what we do here. Thank you very much. Wow. Good morning. Welcome. You know, it is both an honor and a relief to welcome these distinguished leaders and our honored guests here today. Especially considering where we were just a few years ago and how we might have actually ended up. We all remember, on October 19th, the subsidy provided and then devalued for the electric iron. It nearly forced us out of the market. Then, we survived COVID, only to face another threat in 2023. A proposed rule, based on questionable efficiency allegations, that put this business and the people who depend on it—us—into great danger. Here we are, we're still here. Continuing to produce the best electric iron in the world, while we continue living and trying to improve it, expanding your production to meet the needs of our nation. We surpassed the foreign subsidy, fragmented regulatory proposals, the global pandemic and all the other challenges we face. But we didn't do it, and we couldn't have done it alone. Butler Works through cooperation. The men and women of the Specialized Union work around the keyboard to make some of the most advanced iron products in the world, here. The company's leaders invest in our future And we have government officials who support us because they understand the strategic value A strong and safe home ironing stand. We have seen this cooperation work. The President's executive order imposed Section 232 tariffs to protect our iron industry, especially gas production, here in Butler. And these tariffs were strengthened to remain effective and ensure the removal of foreign interference support. Since 2020, Cliffs and the UAW have united. to ensure trade legislation for laminations and crows. We now have a Department of Energy working with us. Investing in our IRF suppliers here, They invest in a cleaner process, which increases income and, therefore, quality ensuring our ability to maintain the supplies in the U.S. When trade, last year, I just brought derivative products, including crows, laminations, crows and even complete transformers under the tariffs, This is the cooperation that leads to success. This partnership continues today And it is cooperation that guides progress, protect works such as ours It strengthens the security and independence of our nation. This shows what work, industry, and government They can achieve it together. Stronger American manufacturing, more secure and critical support networks and a continued leadership of the United States in innovation, Production and economic opportunity. Then, on behalf of the best workers in the iron fiber industry, the men and women of Site 3303, I bless you all. For Butler Works, Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our industry and his commitment to America. Now it is my pleasure to introduce the end of our long-time friends and partners, supporter of this planting, from our town of Butler, Pennsylvania our 16th Congressional District, our American representative, Mike Kelly. Well, I would say good morning, but that doesn't come close to what it is. It's a great morning. So, we have arrived today together as Americans. And what do I do to live now, about half a millimeter up the hill It's a small Chevrolet store. when my parents started in 1953. We are so close to each other in this city, in this state, in this country to have lost this corn. Now, when you ask people What is the most important thing in life? They always say, well, win. Is there anyone who doesn't believe that winning is our goal? Do you believe you should win? Should this be your goal? Let me give you another objective. What if I give up on losing? And if I say at the end of each day What can I do better for those who come after us? This is truly a relay race. We are dealing with the lipstick for the next generation. Only a few years ago, We were very close to descending that lipstick. without being able to pass it on to the next generation, to leave a city which was based on this industry, a state that was based on this industry, a country that was based on this industry. Why would we be so willing to leave of this product? And when I talk to my friends, And I am in Congress, So, what is G.O.A.S.? What does this mean? I mean, well, our entire lives now It is about acronyms. It's money or an electric iron. So, what does this mean for us? I mean, well, when you're walking, Look at all the seats you can see, And if you see a gray canister on it, Understand that inside this basket There is a product made in my city at home. what pulls the electricity from one area to another, what keeps the Americans' lights on, what keeps the American industry running. My friends, This is not about politics. This is about the world's largest nation. This is about the first responder in the world. That is, at any moment, if something goes wrong, Who appears first? It's always America. And yet, when something is wrong in America, What does the rest of the world say? Well, you're the strongest ones out there. Fix this yourselves. Because if you don't fix this yourselves, Then we will fail. This plant, this team Create the most amazing product when it comes to how the future It will be tough for America. How will America continue to lead, because if America is not leading, The world will end. So, I just wanted to ask you all this. Every day that you wake up, When do you spend your working day And you will go, I'd say, stick your head into that. Put your head into it, knowing that America is safer, America is stronger. America is more united When we work together, When can we continue making products? that they make America strong. The rest of the world looks every day to be the emergency responder every time something is wrong It is here, on these lands, that America was preserved. We came so close, so close, to lose this product by people who lack understanding What makes things great. It's the inner part of this. It is the internal structure. It's power. How deep is she? that does not let anything pull her knock it down or destroy it for our children, our great children our great children. It is not merely responsibility, It is our goal. That is our goal. So, working with Vítor Gonçalves and with Jamie and the rest of the 3303, You know how we unite some years ago? How close were we of leaving existence? What allowed this to happen? This plant, this workforce, this city, this building, this State, That is what kept America strong. And that is what kept the electricity moving. That is what keeps us stronger. but longer. So, for all of you who are here today, Please, play around with some idea Tell me what you think this is about the Republicans or the Democrats, about the red team or the blue team. It's about the red, white, and blue team. It will always be about America. Get away from everything that is bothering you The spark that keeps us strong. We are stronger together. You are all an incredible workforce that showed the rest of our country that we will never stop, We will never run away. There is no challenge so great, There is no battle that is not important. When we come together, when we do the ironing that keeps the lights on, what keeps everything running Then we are a stronger nation. We are a stronger people. And no, at the end of the day, When you put your head into that A little while ago to thank all those men and women those who came before us who sacrificed everything to ensure that we would have a future and that we were more concerned about our children, our grown-up children and our even older grown-up children from what they themselves are. You do this every day, my friends. You do this every day. This company is incredibly strong. We faced a strong wind, We took that from the side We said yes, it was a hard battle, wasn't it? Yes, it was a hard battle, But it was a battle worth fighting. It was a battle worth fighting. It was a battle worth understanding. what if there were no milk, without this product, when America begins to fail. The world cannot afford for America to fail. All of us together, every day. I would say it's a pleasure being with you. It is an honor to be with you. I've passed by this plant so many times, I'm going to work in the morning. I'm going home at night. It's in my direction, in both directions. I never stopped looking in the morning to the right side, At night to the left side. And I thank God. I thank God that I am an American. I thank God that I am in Pennsylvania. I thank God that I am in Pampa, in Pennsylvania. And I thank God for all that you do. Mr. Gonçalves, thank you for fighting a battle that others would have read Thank you for being in a strong wind. And for all of you, 3303, phenomenal, phenomenal. You appeared, you did not leave. You didn't say you were okay, It is near the retreat. I don't have to worry about that. Really? Do you have a child? Do you think your son Can you have some children? Then you can have great children. It's about the future of America. We are here today to celebrate a strong force, making a strong product that will keep the power flowing. Thank you very much. God bless you for being here today. Mr. Secretary Kimmett, It's your turn to come here and talk with this incredible team. If you thought wizards were powerful, The wizards could not defeat this team. They couldn't defeat this team. Thank you all. May God bless you. We're going to have a great day. Thank you, Congress. And thank you, Lorenzo. Thank you for the invitation to be here today. Thank you for your leadership and your boundless commitment for iron production in America. But most importantly, Thank you to the men and women at Butler Works, including Jamie and the proud members from UAW Local 3303, the iron workers, the operators, the maintenance equipment, the engineers, the people who appear every day to make the iron that films America. Thank you all. It's great to be here in Butler. with Secretary Wright, who has been a great partner To Secretary Lutnick and the Department of Commerce. And be here today with colleagues the Department of Energy Say something important about this administration. We are in every lock and your schedule to rebuild American industry. President Trump the policy and it is exactly What are we celebrating? what is Cleveland Cliffs It's happening here today. The only reason For what investments is this kind of thing suitable? are possible It's because of President Trump fundamentally changed the equation for American-made production. He always understood something what Washington forgot a country that cannot make your own iron cannot guarantee your economic future your national security. And it is especially important today recognize Not all iron is the same. Electric iron with oriented grid done here in Butler It is essential for transformers that power our electrical grid, our factories, our buildings our critical infrastructure. O Cleveland Cliffs It is the only company what produces this type of iron in the United States. This means that this capability here in Butler, Pennsylvania It is essential for operation the American electrical grid for our economic security national. And it is not enough simply to make iron in the United States. We want America to Do the most advanced one, the most complex iron products and especially specialized in the world Here at home. Men and women in this iron They are doing exactly that. You are doing specialized iron what is essential for our power grid, our infrastructure, our buildings and reindustrialization of the United States. And before we got here, We had a tour this impressive iron Lorenzo was showing Everything. And while we were doing it, I was remembering of some other companies What do I represent in the plan? I saw the Mack Trucks, I saw the Peterbilt, I saw the John Deere. So this iron It's not just a great story for the Cleveland Flips Butler, Pennsylvania. This iron is a brilliant example. from American industry. And that is why the historical use President Trump from Section 232, raising tariffs and closing doors, It was so important. Events like this, celebrating 200 million dollars of investments in the production of specialized iron in the United States, it simply would not be possible without the use of President Trump of the authority under Section 232. Lorenzo said that perfectly. in a call about recent gains. He said, Section 232 It was the only and most effective one. industrial policy implemented in our country over a generation. He is exactly right. Trump's policies They made it clear that America will support people and businesses that built things here, who invest here and that American workers employ. Then, for men and women here today, Know that in President Trump You have a leader who will always support American workers American manufacturers the American forces. And you have your entire administration behind him completely aligned with that. It is an honor to be with you. here today and I want to congratulate all those who work so hard to make this country possible. Thank you very much. And now I'll pass the word to my friend and partner, The Secretary of Assistance, Audrey Robertson Thank you, Secretary Timmitt. Thank you very much for us to have in Butler, Pennsylvania, today. This morning was an opportunity. incredible to see what you do. President Teitel, Thank you for passing some time with me and learn about The great partnership between 3303 E Cleveland Cliffs. Senator Kelly, it was truly Great to have you here today. Thank you very much. Of course, Lorenzo, the opportunity to be a partner and supporter of yours It's something I love. Learning about the shape How was Goa Steel produced? in the past few months Department of Energy And why is this installation It is so important It was an absolute privilege. A privilege because, how would I say, someone who did not grow up in the iron industry, understanding the importance Goa Steel for energy security, for national security and for economic security. What is produced here it is the supply of all the other industries what are criticisms for the United States work Each of the Americans interfere with the products What are produced here and only here. So, our office was part of owner of 75 million dollars, the investment of 200 million dollars what will bring The new IRF Furnaces to the shores of Cleveland that will increase your output by approximately 25% that will ensure what is this installation not only is he guiding the country, leading North America, leading the world in new technology, in innovation And in production. So, this is a wonderful husband of manufacture, innovation It's an incredible partnership, as much as the government, the local community of Butler and the excellent men and women who work here to advance into America. You are absolutely patriotic to commit themselves to build every day the iron of Goa that is empowering and providing the growth of our nation. When I go backward I think about the opportunity that the President Trump I am allowed to change course from manufacturing in the United States, to change the reindustrialization of our nation, not only to focus in large, shining factories from the future, data centers from the future, but to understand as someone who builds businesses, that President Trump is, so many of us they came to power, never having been in government, while better understanding business that each component that provides the future of our nation It is also part of the past. And this particular ease Is this an essential point? this single point of failure. If we want to grow the American industry, if we want to continue the advancement of superintelligence, if we want to continue building the important electrification that our nation reindustrialize, this ease not only needs to exist, It must grow more precisely. Then it is an honor to be here I am very grateful the opportunity to learn What do you do every day? for our workshop have a large portion to support innovation What's happening here? and the future growth of this ease. It is a profound privilege present your secretary of energy and the greatest champion you will encounter from the iron industry and from America. Secretary Wright. President Trump sent me with a two-word message for everyone here No Butler Works. A two-word message Thank you. Thank you for being strong and fighting for challenges unfair surface competition politicians who think that we do not want to build great things in America as well. Let's buy this surface thing. Thank you for staying strong. Thank you for surviving to these challenges. Most importantly, Thank you for being at the top of the sphere to build the future of America. The Trump administration It is to reindustrialize our country, terms for building great things in America again Complicated things in America to lead with pride, to be proud of what we do and not apologize for what we do, so that we can make it bigger and better and stronger and bigger. I am in front of this flag And I see that flag in front of me. I am ashamed With gratitude and with pride. Our ancestors They risked their lives, your treasure his honored sacred to build something different, to build the greatest nation in the history of the world. With very simple principles. They believe in freedom, They believe in opportunity, They believe that all men They are created equal, men and women, of course. They believe in a system of government what came up from the bottom and not from top to bottom. They didn't know where America was heading, but they knew that if you freed the Americans to take a risk, to make choices, They would build a single nation. Yes, that actually happened. We are so strong to live in this country. It was not just the land of freedom the opportunity for hundreds of millions of Americans, but we were that bright light for the whole world. And what did America build? She built a more free society. and the most powerful, a wealthier society. We do not focus on foreign conflicts. We focus on our families, our communities, our faith, our values, our believers. But when we were called to action During World War II, When the world was under a great threat, America was not a major military power, This was not our ambition, But we were the world's greatest industrial nation. This is the base. Due to the strong industrial power of our country, we were able to quickly build the most militarily powerful world and conquer the forces of fascism, the forces of darkness that were circulating around the world to restore freedom and opportunity around the world and protect the land from American house and the American Dream. At the end of World War II, the United States produced 60%, about 60% of all the iron produced in the world. This is a powerful industrial nation. And as my colleague from the Department of Commerce commented, This is critical. not only for economic security, but also for national security. We have an incredible legacy. And America lost its way a little. In the 1990s, We decided to admit China. World Trade Organization and grant them the status of a permanent favored nation. China is competing with us and with the rest of the world. in a free market economy. But that was not the plan China had. China does not compete the way we do. She does not compete like companies who fight for innovation and work quality. We would win this competition, as we did two centuries ago. China had strategic value to use government funds to subsidize its industry, specifically to bring down strategically important industries in the United States and around the world. They did not gain in freedom, they did not gain in prosperity, but they said they would go after the most important industries, including your industry. In fact, perhaps centrally, your industry. You don't have a strong energy industry And you don't have a strong iron industry. You won't have a strong economy, You will not become an industrial powerhouse. And you won't control it national security, the fate of your country. Unfortunately, they occurred to bring down our iron industry and many other industries. President Trump ran for the first time to reverse this, to reindustrialize America, to rise up for our iron workers, to rise up for our industrial workers of energy. And, as he said, so justly, Make America great again. He did that for four years. At the end of these four years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, He came in to see that Butler Works was in danger. And he needed to save this gem, This symbol represents American industrial might. The COVID happened, ruined politics and we had four years of a Biden administration that returned to Obama's policies It's dirty work to build great things in America. We don't want to do this. We want to shut down as many large iron plants as possible, of industry, of iron, of refineries. We want to get rid of these industries, in some way And we will become a world power because we're all going to be keyboard players. Just a crazy idea, An absolutely crazy idea. Not only ruined American power and prestige, and it ruined the lives of millions of people, just like all of you who work here at Butler. Not for his tenacity and the leadership of Lorenzo, of Jamie, if not by strong leadership, Butler Works wouldn't be here today. May God bless you. And, de novo, to President Trump, Thank you. You fought, You supported it. Now we don't want you anymore Waiting to survive. We want Butler Works as an example for the future of America. We will be strong, We will be powerful and we will understand that the keyboard It is the infrastructure of the American industry. A strong, prosperous, and vibrant America It can only happen and can only safeguard our economic and national security Our keyboard industry is strong and vibrant. and in fair competition, The American keyboard is going to win, It's going to go up again. And I know this is going to happen because of you. I see it in your eyes, I see the work you are doing at work. You can win, and you will win. You will win and lead America to reindustrialize our nation. We talk a lot, and I'm not going to... I talk a lot about details, but this expensive, money-oriented electronic keyboard what you have built, This is the only place. in the United States of America the electric keyboard we built is money-oriented, what is absolutely central to transformers, central for energy infrastructure from our entire country. How can we have just one? This is crazy. But this one is strong, It is powerful and in its partnership with the Department of Energy The Department of Commerce, It will grow. He will be the leader, the most modern, the most advanced Electric keyboard oriented toward the world. But together, the dream of the Trump administration to take America back what made us great for 200 years to orient and believe in our peoples, believe in our families, believe in our communities and not allow foreign powers not the business practices, but the use not the competition, but using national objectives to undermine our core industries. President Trump is proud of you. He believes in his future and likewise all Americans in front of the classroom today. I couldn't be happier than I am today finding you Seeing this installation, Hearing the story, I see the patriotism of everyone here. I couldn't be more excited about the future of America. I have two children and two young grandchildren. and I know they will grow up in a country what is strong, what is powerful, who believes in your values once again, that it orients. God bless you all, God bless Butler Works, God bless President Trump And may God bless the United States of America.