Cleveland-Cliffs plans to lay off 1,230 workers in Michigan, Minnesota

Cleveland-Cliffs announced plans to temporarily idle its Dearborn, Michigan steel plant and lay off 600 employees due to weak automotive demand, with operations expected to resume once trade policies under President Trump are fully implemented. The company also plans to temporarily lay off 630 workers in two Minnesota mines, the Minorca and Hibbing Taconite, to address excess inventory and working capital needs. Affected workers will receive full pay for 60 days before being eligible for unemployment benefits. The layoffs come amid ongoing discussions about the impact of Trump's steel tariffs, which were intended to boost domestic production but have raised costs for automakers. Local officials and community leaders have expressed concerns about the layoffs' effects on the workforce and regional economy. Cleveland-Cliffs maintains that these measures are necessary in the current market environment.