Re: silca and Tariffs

On 5/4/2025 9:00 PM, AMuzi wrote:

 There's no logical reason we can't make steel either.  The country is blessed with ample iron ore and coking coal. And we built a highly efficient intermodal system of barges, rail and truck transportation. We have ample labor and capital available. 

About transportation: One of the major factors in the demise of the huge steel industry in Youngstown was the transportation problem. For decades, there was serious talk about digging a canal north from Youngstown to Lake Erie, to cut transport expenses. That never happened, and doubtlessly contributed to the failure of the local industry.

Except for the unions, EPA and a host of other agencies and regulations, you'd expect us to be a major steel exporter.

Union blaming is common - as in "West Virginia would be selling lots more coal if only those workers didn't organize and complain about black lung disease!" But there are many, many other factors beyond labor costs that affected those U.S. industries; and I don't see why laborers should not have a right to make demands.
If their salaries were too high, please keep in mind that management did agree to pay them. There's something about supply and demand at work there.
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- Frank Krygowski