Steel Caucus Commends Report on Impact of Steel Tariffs

Washington, DC - Congressional Steel Caucus Co-Chairmen Conor Lamb and Frank J. Mrvan, and Co-Vice Chairmen Rick Crawford and Mike Bost, today commended a report released by the Economic Policy Institute.  

The report notes that a strong domestic steel industry is critical to the U.S. national defense and the health of America’s critical infrastructure.  The report states that the Section 232 steel trade tariffs delivered near-immediate benefits to the domestic steel industry and recommends that these measures be retained until a multilateral solution to the problem of global excess steel capacity can be achieved.  For additional information on the report, click here.

Co-Chairman Conor Lamb stated, “As competitors like China try and use the pandemic to their advantage, it’s critical to ensure our steelworkers are competing on level ground.  Section 232 is necessary to protect this critical industry, our national security, and American jobs. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both parties to continue to help spur a strong American economic recovery and steel industry.”

Co-Chairman Frank J. Mrvan stated, “I thank the Economic Policy Institute for their thorough investigation and timely analysis of the benefits of maintaining the current Section 232 steel tariffs.  The ability of domestic steelworkers and steel producers to provide for our national economy and national security is of paramount importance.  We are fortunate that the Section 232 provisions were in place prior to the start of the health pandemic, and this report amplifies that this relief remains essential to our nation’s road to recovery.  I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to ensure that American steel companies and American steelworkers can compete on a level playing field.”

Co-Vice Chairman Rick Crawford stated, “This recent study proves what we already know – on a level playing field, our steel producers can compete with anyone in the world. Strong and effective enforcement of Section 232 tariff policy forces bad foreign actors, like China, to end their malicious behavior, while not driving up costs for steel customers. I strongly urge the Biden Administration to continue implementing these tariffs which support American workers and sustain the U.S. steel industry.” 

Co-Vice Chairman Mike Bost stated, “Section 232 tariffs are vitally important to ensuring that American steel producers can compete with foreign producers. This is a matter of American job security, economic security, and national security. It’s clear that these tariffs are working and benefitting our nation. It is critical that we continue working to level the playing field for American steelworkers in the global marketplace.”

The Congressional Steel Caucus is a bipartisan group of over 100 Members of Congress dedicated to supporting the health and strength of the American steel industry and its workforce.

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