Wyoming Senators Target China Over Trona Job Cuts

WE Soda will cut 350 jobs in Sweetwater County as it shifts from underground mining to solution mining at its Westvaco facility. Wyoming’s federal representatives are directing the blame toward China, arguing that subsidized imports are undermining the state’s trona industry. They made these claims during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Sen. John Barrasso spoke directly to Commerce Department nominee Christopher Abbott on the Senate floor. He cited his visits with miners in Sweetwater County over the previous weekend. Barrasso described the layoff announcement as a devastating blow. He stated, “The cause is clear: it's Communist China. They’re rigging the market against our producers.”

Alasdair Warren, the CEO of WE Soda, previously explained the competitive pressure to Cowboy State Daily. He noted that Chinese producers use primary solution mining, which dissolves trona underground with water. This method requires less energy and labor than the techniques used in Wyoming. Warren said the threat from China has evolved significantly over the last few years.

Incoming Rep. Chuck Gray also weighed in via email. He called China’s soda ash exports inferior and accused the country of dumping goods to threaten national economic security. Gray said he will work with the administration and other members of the congressional delegation to end these illegal practices. He added that the goal is to save the Wyoming soda ash industry and the associated jobs.

Sen.-Elect Harriet Hageman pointed to additional pressures on local producers. She noted that Union Pacific is the only rail option for shipping trona and charges roughly three times more due to its monopoly. Hageman said these twin pressures create an impossible situation for producers to remain competitive. She also mentioned that the Surface Transportation Board is reviewing a proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.

During the hearing, Abbott agreed to work with trade partners to hold China accountable. He cited India’s decision not to impose anti-dumping duties on U.S. soda ash as a recent success. Abbott said his office will support American exporters in every way possible. However, his office has limited tools against China’s overseas pricing and can only impose duties on goods entering the U.S.

Local labor leaders are seeking specific actions from state and federal officials. Marshal Cummings, president of United Steelworkers Local 13214, asked leaders to press WE Soda to keep the underground mine open. He also requested that the company negotiate with workers rather than proceeding immediately with the shift to solution mining.

Hundreds of residents lined the road to the WE Soda plant near Green River on Monday morning to support arriving workers. That evening, Cummings used Facebook Live to ask the public to write to the Wyoming Energy Authority. He requested that the agency freeze the $13 million in Energy Dominance Fund money granted to WE Soda. A review committee recommended the funding in October, and the public comment period remains open until Nov. 16. Gov. Mark Gordon will make the final decision on the awards before leaving office.