Tariffs threaten Trump’s promises to WV coal miners
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV
Since taking office, President Donald Trump’s administration has said they are taking steps to boost domestic coal production.
In January, Trump declared an “energy emergency” which would overturn climate change pledges, speed up permitting for coal operators, and revise environmental regulations those operators face.
In April, he issued an executive order which opened federal lands to coal mining, directed the Justice Department to fight states seen as impeding energy development, and lowering emission standards for coal power plants.
“We’re bringing back an industry that was abandoned,” Trump said after signing the order. “With us today are some of the amazing workers who will benefit from these policies.”
Yet, 400 West Virginia coal miners have lost their jobs in the last two months. What is going on?
Job losses and price declines
In a word, tariffs.
Chris Hamilton, who leads the WV Coal Association and is a regular donor to the Republican Party and Republican politicians, warned the Trump Administration this spring about the impact Chinese tariffs would have on West Virginia coal.
“No matter how well-motivated the proposed trade action may be, if completed it will have an immediate and adverse impact on coal production and employment in the state of West Virginia and other coal-producing regions and states,” Hamilton said in March.
China is the second largest market for West Virginia exports, behind only Canada, and coal is one of the top products sold overseas by the state. Following several rounds of retaliatory tariffs by Trump and President Xi of China, Chinese coal imports dropped by 18% in May.
The effects in West Virginia are already being felt by coal miners and their families.
The Itmann Mining Complex in Wyoming County closed last week, with more than 200 workers facing permanent layoffs.
Citing global trade uncertainties brought on by tariffs, Itmann’s parent company, Core Energy, said the market is too risky for continued operations.
Prices for both metallurgical and steam coal are down significantly this year, with forecasts showing continued low prices over the next year.
A video posted on The White House’s website in April 2025 included employees from Core Energy, the parent company of Intmann in Wyoming County, WV, saying, “It is gonna bring jobs back to America.”
Speaking at the president’s executive order signing this spring, Jeff Crowe, a Marshall County, WV, mine superintendent said, “For too long, coal has been a dirty word that most are afraid to speak about. But we are still strong. We are still here. And we’re still needed in order to make America great again.”
Stay tuned to RealWV for updates.
