.gif?width=220&height=220&mediaprotectionhash=27a2c7b682a980edd98804d5ef3ab0afa2e746bbcbde7192e62ce4a3fe797500&ext=.gif)
Steel is Back, Trump Tells AISTech Attendees
05/05/2026 - AIST’s 2026 Steelmaker of the Year and Nucor CEO Leon Topalian received a surprise congratulatory message from U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
In a recorded message played during the AISTech 2026 President’s Award Breakfast, Trump said Topalian has done an amazing job leading North America’s largest steel producer.
“He’s a great guy. I know him very well, being in that world. Congratulations, Leon,” Trump said.
Trump also took the opportunity to highlight his trade and economic policies relative to the U.S. steel industry.
“If you don’t have steel, you don’t have a country,” Trump said in the message.
“Under the Trump Administration, America’s steel industry is roaring back to life. It was dead as a doornail, just like our country was dead. And now we have the hottest country in the world,” Trump said.
“Thanks to my tariffs, our American companies are doing fantastically well.”
You can watch the full message here.
“He’s a great guy. I know him very well, being in that world. Congratulations, Leon,” Trump said.
Trump also took the opportunity to highlight his trade and economic policies relative to the U.S. steel industry.
“If you don’t have steel, you don’t have a country,” Trump said in the message.
“Under the Trump Administration, America’s steel industry is roaring back to life. It was dead as a doornail, just like our country was dead. And now we have the hottest country in the world,” Trump said.
“Thanks to my tariffs, our American companies are doing fantastically well.”
You can watch the full message here.
