Opinion: Biden Blew It With US Steel Move

President Biden describes himself as the most "pro-union president" in history, but economics columnist Catherine Rampell writes that he betrayed union workers by blocking Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel. What's unusual here is that by moving against the Japanese company, Biden gave the United Steelworkers union exactly what it wanted, Rampell notes. But she argues that both union leaders and the president might end up hurting actual steelworkers in the process. Her essay spells out how US Steel "has been struggling for decades" and relying on government help to stay in business. The Nippon deal made sense for all parties involved, except perhaps the "ego-sensitive" union leaders.

Nippon and US Steel have sued to undo Biden's move, but if the deal stays blocked, a miffed Nippon might close other steel plants it already operates in the US—and thus deal a blow to rank-and-file workers. Rampell's scathing take:

• "But long-term, if the mills close, this decision will amount to bad politics—and a tarnished legacy. Aiding and abetting an ally's self-sabotage does not make you a loyal pal. It simply makes you a craven appeaser."

Read the full op-ed, in which she writes that Democrats "do themselves, and their constituents, no favors by coddling coalition members intent on doing something dumb." (More Nippon Steel stories.)