GARY, Ind. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly has toured U.S. Steel’s Gary Works to assure employees the federal government is fighting to protect their industry against cheap imports.

The Democrat told workers Friday that American steelmakers deserve a “fair and level playing field” with foreign competitors, some of whom are aided by subsidies and sell their steel at a loss to gain market share in the U.S.

Donnelly spoke to the International Trade Commission Thursday about the harm done by steel dumping.

He and Republican Sen. Dan Coats have pushed the commission to impose tariffs and consider a ban on imports from more than 40 Chinese steel companies that U.S. steel accuses of unfair trade practices.

The (Munster) Times reports that more than 1,000 steelworkers were laid off in Indiana last year.