Following in the steps of USW District 7 members and the Purdue Boilermakers, Steelworkers and students worked together all over the country building student-labor coalitions. These relationships climaxed at the April 16, 2000 protest of Permanently Neutral Trade Relations with China. Steelworkers and students rallied together in opposition to a trade relationship that serves to empower companies to undermine workers rights in both China and the US.

Most recently, students and Steelworkers again united in November of 2003 to stand against the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Steelworkers from District 7 went on a delegation with 15 USAS students from across the Midwest. While in Miami, thousands of Steelworkers and students converged and marched through the streets voicing their opposition to yet another trade agreement that will compromise workers rights everywhere.