Port of Green Bay marks earliest shipping season kickoff in recent history
GREEN BAY, WI – The Port of Green Bay's shipping season is off to its earliest start in
recent history, following a record warm meteorological winter.
The first ship of the 2024 season arrived in the Port of Green Bay on Sunday at 10:38
a.m. The 392-foot Margaret with Tug Albert arrived with a delivery of petroleum products
to U.S. Venture.
“It’s an early start this shipping season. In fact, this is the earliest Port opening in my 25
years here,” said Dean Haen, Port Director. “With it officially underway, we’re looking
forward to another great year for Great Lakes commerce! The big ships entering the
Port of Green Bay provide economic stability for our region, along with plenty of
enjoyment for ship watchers in the area!”
Shipping season start dates in recent years were March 15 (2023), March 18 (2022),
March 19 (2021), March 15 (2020) and April 5 (2019).
WLUK
Biden opposes plan to sell US Steel to a Japanese firm
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden came out in opposition to the planned sale of
U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying on Thursday that the U.S. needs to
“maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers.”
In a statement, Biden added: “U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company
for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is
domestically owned and operated.”
By opposing the merger, Biden has chosen to support unionized workers in a critical
election year at the risk of upsetting the business community and an essential ally in
Japan. Thursday’s announcement, coming as Biden is campaigning in the Midwest,
could have ripples in his race against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee,
Donald Trump.
The Democratic president has made the restoration of American manufacturing a
cornerstone of his agenda as he seeks reelection, and he has the endorsements of the
AFL-CIO and several other prominent unions. The White House said Thursday that
Biden called David McCall, president of United Steelworkers, to reiterate his support for
its members Nippon Steel announced in December that it planned to buy the Pittsburgh-
based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the
transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security.
The Japanese company has tried to assuage critics by promising no job losses due to
the merger. It also committed to keeping the U.S. Steel name and Pittsburgh
headquarters, while noting it already has a presence in the American market and would
bring in new resources to foster job growth.
The company, which is the world’s fourth largest steel producer, launched a website with
supportive statements from Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary, and Pat
Toomey, a Republican and former senator from Pennsylvania.
Shortly after the steel deal was announced, the White House indicated it would be
under review by the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
The government does not officially provide updates on the CFIUS review process.
Associated Press
