WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners are being asked to sign a letter being written by Thomas Steel management and union members that will be sent to the Trump administration, asking the president to exempt battery-grade steel from tariffs being imposed on China.

During Tuesday’s weekly commissioner workshop, Denny Malloy asked his fellow commissioners to review a letter provided to them by the company that outlines their concerns.

“Thomas Steel is having an issue,” Malloy said. “They make components for batteries. The company has 170 employees and its biggest business is making batteries.”

The commissioner said he has been told there is no company in the U.S. that makes battery-grade steel products.

“They get all of their steel from China to make batteries,” he said. “There is a 50% tariff on Chinese steel, including the batteries. Their management reached out to me, with the unions, and said they would like a letter from the commissioners that they will submit to our senators and the president to exempt battery-grade steel, since no manufacturing company in the United States makes it or can make it.”

Malloy said company representatives told him if they don’t get help, it could be forced to shut down and lose all 170 jobs.

Commissioner Rick Hernandez said he would like to support the effort.

“I am in approval for any letter that keeps jobs and factories operating in the Valley,” Hernandez said.

Commissioner Tony Bernard and Hernandez are expected to review the letter to determine whether they can support the ideas expressed in it.