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FACT CHECK: Trump Says U.S. Steel Opening Mills; Not So

Matt Rourke
/
AP
Donald Trump at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018.

President Donald Trump is crediting his tariffs with persuading U.S. Steel to open a half dozen new plants. That's not so.

Trump at a rally in Wilkes-Barre Thursday night said: "U.S. Steel is opening up seven plants." On Tuesday, he told supporters in Florida: "U.S. Steel just announced that they're building six new steel mills."

THE FACTS: The Pittsburgh-based company has made no such announcement. U.S. Steel spokeswoman Meghan Cox declined to comment on Trump's claim but said any "operational changes" such as the opening of new mills would be "publicly announced" and "made available on our website" if it occurred.