Joe Sommerlad at The Independent reports President Donald Trump is receiving backlash over his suggestion a European Metals Company has donated foreign steel for the construction of his White House ballroom. According to The New York Times, the Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal has donated materials to help with the $400 million project, which would appear to run counter to Trump’s past championing of the American Steel Industry, given the materials were reportedly produced in Europe. Trump has long spoken up for U.S. steel, part of his broader support for traditional Blue-Collar Industries, imposing tariffs on foreign metal imports last year in the interest of shielding domestic manufacturers from overseas competition. “While the White House imports foreign steel to build Trump’s ugly Epstein Ballroom, California is opening its first new steel plant in fifty years,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said via his official press office account, referring to Pacific Steel breaking ground on a new mill in his State. Newsom also responded on his personal account, suggesting a new slogan for the Trump Administration: “Make America Luxembourg Again?” Another pointed criticism was offered by Minnesota State Senator Grant Hauschild: “Foreign steel in the White House? Are you kidding? We’ve got Iron Range mines shut down & 100’s of United Steelworkers laid off. Instead, they’re outsourcing one of the most iconic American buildings overseas! American steel built this country, it should build the White House too.”

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Trump the ‘America First’ president will be using foreign steel to build his White House ballroom