It's always been true that there's no greater act of pandering than a Democratic presidential candidate pandering at a Pittsburgh union hall on Labor Day in an election year, and this year was no exception, especially with a major steel deal at the center of a national debate.

Vice President Kamala Harris frowned and pointed her finger at the podium while President Joe Biden stood nearby and nodded. Shouted“US Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated!” she said, followed by the usual sycophantic flattery. “And I will always stand with the workers of US Steel!”

It was a good political statement, and a good time and place, but the Vice President offered no idea how he, as President, would actually “help them” and implement his ownership proclamation — because he doesn't have one.

What's pathetic is that she fully understands that, at least for now, a merger with Japan's Nippon Steel is the only way to avert U.S. Steel being pushed out of the picture and possibly forced to withdraw from Pittsburgh altogether, and averting great losses to the very people she pledged to save in the halls of the International Electrical Workers Union on Monday: Harris, her boss President Biden, and even Republican candidate and former President Biden. Donald Trump We strongly oppose this deal, which protects businesses and jobs.

As we all know, the current situation puts U.S. Steel in grave danger, and with it the jobs of the very workers that politicians claim to be helping. As I wrote As other big American steelmakers filed for bankruptcy and disappeared earlier this year, including U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel put a $15 billion deal on the table to prop up and grow the company. All necessary regulatory approvals Not only is it expensive Praise from a prominent American economist — This is the only option that guarantees that our factories and jobs stay in the United States, especially in Pittsburgh. Period.

U.S. Steel and its workers understand this all too well. On Wednesday, following Harris' Labor Day speech, The company held a large rally The company called employees in downtown Pittsburgh, warning them that if politicians were successful in scrapping the Nippon Steel deal, it would have to leave its historic home in the city and state.

But this latest attempt to sound the alarm is a new Reports emerged On Thursday morning, it was reported that Biden was undeterred and ready to pull the trigger and block the deal at a moment's notice. Really? For Harris?

Some additional facts to remember are: US Steel falls 20% Regarding initial reports that Biden might block the deal. Reuters The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reportedly recently sent a letter to Nippon Steel raising spurious national security concerns, but one expert argued that “this doesn't fall into the category of national security, but into two other categories: clearly nationalistic trade protectionism and electoral politics.” The New York Times Our friends in Japan are reporting that officials are “outraged by reports that Biden plans to sink it.”

So the value of US Steel has plummeted in political flame wars, government agencies have no problem blocking deals that would bail out President Biden under the guise of national security (are the CFIUS guys confusing Japan with China or what?), and Japan's allies are angry at us. I hope the politicians are happy, because the good guys sure aren't.

I could go on and on, there's a ton of material to cover, but I'll end by restating something I wrote in April that still applies: The best answer in this case would be to simply let the free market work. Nippon Steel would stop buying U.S. Steel and keep those plants in the U.S., making steel for Americans and for export. That would protect American jobs, strengthen U.S. economic and military alliances, and help grow and sustain the two largest global economies at a time when they desperately need it.

And to properly reflect the events of this week, I would like to add to this now: Of course, Harris, Biden and Trump need to stop the bullshit and stop lying about what they can and can't realistically do in this situation. And U.S. Steel can no longer, alone, be the great corporation we know and love and rely on. Sadly, for the sake of a great American company, a great American city, and the thousands of men and women who just want to keep working honestly and take care of their families, I'm not going to hold my breath and wait.

Christian Josi is founder and managing director of C. Josi & Company, a global communications and public relations resource organization.

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