Plans for a new ballroom at the White House have sparked controversy, as US President Donald Trump has had the East Wing largely stripped back for the high-profile project, which has faced criticism from multiple quarters.
According to the New York Times, steel for the new structure is set to come from Europe, specifically from Luxembourg-based steel giant ArcelorMittal. Confidential sources close to the project have confirmed to the newspaper that the steel is being provided as a donation.
While exact figures have not been disclosed, last autumn Trump publicly indicated that he had received a steel contribution worth $37 million from what he described as a “great steel company”. This announcement came shortly after the US reduced its tariffs on European steel, a move from which ArcelorMittal is reported to have benefited.
Neither the White House nor ArcelorMittal has provided official confirmation of the arrangement.
