Premier: We're Pleased U.S. Steel Will Continue to Operate in Slovakia

Kosice, 19 November (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) met representatives of U.S. Steel Kosice and its parent company, Japan's Nippon Steel, on Wednesday. In June of this year, Nippon Steel, Japan's largest steel producer, completed the purchase of American company U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion (€12.86 billion). According to the premier, U.S. Steel will continue to operate in Slovakia, and he and company representatives also discussed the decarbonisation and modernisation of its production. "We're pleased that this acquisition took place and that U.S. Steel will continue to operate in Slovakia. The plant's continued presence will contribute to stabilising the workforce and preserving jobs in eastern Slovakia," Fico posted on social media. According to the company's annual report, the U.S. Steel steelworks in Kosice posted a loss of €100 million in 2024, while in 2023 the metallurgical company reported a net loss of €31 million. The company should also have been one of the main recipients of decarbonisation aid from the recovery plan, receiving €300 million. However, the company didn't sign the contract, and the Environment Ministry transferred the money to other projects. am/df