Steel didn’t “decline” It was unbolted and sent to Asia. Globalist hacks need to please stop defending Free (Rape) Trade.
Take a look at the steel content in any car or piece of heavy equipment today compared to 60 years ago.
It declined ... but I repeat myself.
And do you really think taconite mining in the Mesabi Iron Range of Minnesota declined because of foreign competition? Many of these "Rust Belt" cities were established as industrial centers because they were located on Great Lakes shipping lanes for this iron ore.