President Donald Trump’s push for tougher tariffs on foreign steel has sparked a heated debate, but one American CEO is cheering the move as a win for U.S. workers. Drew Greenblatt, CEO of Marlin Steel, says the tariffs will level the playing field for factories that play by the rules. His company makes steel products in Baltimore, Michigan, and Indiana—and he claims foreign competitors have been cheating for years.
Greenblatt points to a shocking example: when Marlin ships a medical basket to Germany, the German government slaps a $128 tariff on it. But when German companies send similar products to America, the U.S. only charges $1.25. “That’s wildly unfair,” Greenblatt says. He argues that decades of bad trade deals have put American workers at a massive disadvantage.
China is the biggest offender, according to Greenblatt. He accuses China of stealing intellectual property, using forced labor, and dumping cheap, subsidized steel into global markets. “They copy our designs and sell knockoffs,” he says. Meanwhile, U.S. factories follow strict environmental and labor rules—adding costs that foreign rivals avoid.
The new tariffs could create a hiring boom, Greenblatt claims. He says Marlin Steel is ready to expand and hire workers at salaries up to $100,000 a year. “We’ll pull people out of poverty and into the middle class,” he says. Factories in states like Michigan and Indiana could see a surge in jobs as companies ramp up production.
Critics warn tariffs might raise prices for consumers, but Greenblatt brushes that off. “Sure, a T-shirt might cost $2 more,” he admits. But he believes the trade-off—millions of good-paying jobs—is worth it. He also notes that companies like Walmart and Amazon rely heavily on cheap foreign labor, which hurts American workers.
Greenblatt praises Trump for taking on “generations of bad policy” from both parties. He says past leaders let other countries exploit loose trade rules, costing U.S. factories billions. Now, with tariffs pressuring trading partners to renegotiate, Greenblatt sees a brighter future. “American workers just want a fair shot,” he says.
Not everyone agrees, but Greenblatt’s optimism is shared by many in manufacturing. He points to companies like Mercedes and Hyundai building U.S. plants, which could boost demand for American steel. “We’re all in on America,” he says. The goal isn’t to shut out foreign goods—it’s to stop foreign governments from rigging the game.
The next few months will test whether tariffs deliver on their promises. Greenblatt remains confident: “If we get fairness, American workers will win every time.” For now, he’s betting on a manufacturing revival that lifts workers, rebuilds communities, and puts “Made in the USA” back on top.
