Mrvan: Tariffs must continue to combat dumping of excess steel

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, testified Thursday on the effectiveness of Section 232 steel tariffs before the International Trade Commission on the heels of testimony by industry to the Congressional Steel Caucus the day prior.

Mrvan co-chairs the Congressional Steel Caucus, which heard from leaders of the country’s top steel producers and the United Steelworkers Union on what they need to combat dumping of cheap global excess steel into the marketplace.

”As you know, Northwest Indiana is home to an incredible steel and manufacturing industry and workforce. The success of the domestic steel industry is critical to the livelihoods of individuals, families, and communities in the First Congressional District of Indiana and also to our national security and communities throughout the country,” Mrvan said.

Mrvan said the caucus has been active in supporting the value of the section 232 tariffs. One of its first actions was a letter sent in February 2021 with more than 50 signatures from caucus members to the administration supporting the continuation of the tariffs.

In testimony Wednesday before the Congressional Steel Caucus, the tariffs were a key part of the discussion, he said.

Industry leaders called for the continuation of the tariffs combined with other measures in order to keep the industry strong.

”When combined with effective dumping and countervailing duty laws and relief measures, (the tariffs) have proven effective at keeping global excess steel capacity at bay,” Tom Conway, international president of the United Steelworkers Union, said.

Conway said excess capacity, reported at 544 million tons in 2021, has remained at persistently elevated levels since 2018, according to the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development.

Richard L. Fruehauf, senior vice president and chief strategy and sustainability officer for U.S. Steel, echoed Conway before the caucus.

”Strong trade enforcement and continuation of Section 232 national security actions on steel imports is critical,” Fruehauf said.

Section 232 tariffs have worked to reduce the number of unfairly traded imports into the U.S., according to Anthony Frabotta, executive vice president of Zekelman Industries. Frabotta was representing the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports before the caucus.

”The industry firmly supports the continuation of the Section 232 program,” Frabotta said.

Mrvan said the tariffs help to ensure a strong domestic steel industry that supports a manufacturing workforce important to the economy.

”As we move forward, we must continue to work to ensure that the American steel industry can compete on a level playing field so that our innovative companies and skilled workforce can remain the foundation of our national economy and our national security,” Mrvan said.