Speaking during a rally at U. S. Steel’s Irvin plant in West Mifflin, Pa., Trump said the higher tariff would “even further secure the steel industry in the United States.”

"That means that nobody's going to be able to steal your industry. If its at 25% they can sort of get over that fence. At 50%, they can no longer get over the fence," Trump told the audience. 

Following his remarks at the rally, Trump announced in a Truth Social post.that the tariff increase also would apply to imported aluminum

“Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before,” Trump wrote. “This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers.”

The American Iron and Steel Institute swiftly applauded the move, calling it a bold action on Trump's behalf in statement issued shortly after the rally. 

"Led by China, global steel overcapacity and production continues to grow, even as overall global steel demand is being impacted by the sharp downturn in the Chinese construction sector. As a result, Chinese steel exports to the world have more than doubled since 2020, surging to 118 million metric tons in 2024 — more than total North American steel production," said AISI president and chief executive officer Kevin Dempsey. 

"Given these challenging international conditions that show no signs of improvement, this tariff action will help prevent new surges in imports that would injure American steel producers and their workers."

The rally was held to celebrate U. S. Steel's planned "partnership" with Nippon Steel Corp., which has proposed major investments in U. S. Steel's Mon Valley Works and its other facilities. U. S. Steel chief executive officer Dave Burritt and Nippon Steel vice chairman Takahiro Mori both spoke at the rally and thanked Trump for his leadership. 

"We would not be here today without President Trump, who has secured the company's future by approving our partnership. President Trump is focused on protecting American jobs ... and growing American manufacturing. Because of President Trump, U. S, Steel will remain mined, melted and made in America by Americans," Mori said.

Burritt said the Nippon Steel partnership is a new beginning for U. S. Steel. 

"And with the right leadership and the right partner we're ready to build something better, and bigger," Burritt said.