Big Steel refers to the large U.S. steel producers, most notably exemplified by the USX Corporation (formerly known as U.S. Steel Corporation). These producers are facing intense international competition, mainly from regions such as the Far East.
Heavy industry refers to traditional production industries such as auto manufacturing, steel production, rubber processing, petroleum refining, and raw material extraction, which require massive capital investment and produce large quantities of goods. These industries employ large numbers of workers and often have significant environmental impacts.
The smokestack industry refers to heavy industry sectors, such as the steel and automotive industries, characterized by their extensive industrial facilities often featuring large smokestacks. These sectors are facing significant international competition.
