Steel Caucus Urges Administration to Continue Steel Tariffs
Washington, DC - Congressional Steel Caucus Co-Chairmen Conor Lamb and Frank J. Mrvan, and Co-Vice Chairmen Rick Crawford and Mike Bost, along with 47 other Members of the Congressional Steel Caucus, sent a letter to the Biden-Harris Administration this week expressing support for the continuation of the Section 232 steel tariffs and quotas.
The letter stated, “As members of the Congressional Steel Caucus, we work closely with industry and labor and recognize the impact that unfairly traded imports and global steel overcapacity have had on the nation’s steel sector.” The letter also noted that the “impact of the tariffs and quotas have resulted in significant reductions in imports, and that “it is important that these tariffs and quotas remain in place to ensure the industry can continue its road to recovery.”
Co-Chairman Conor Lamb stated, “We have to work together to keep our domestic steel industry strong and push back against foreign competitors who look to cheat in these markets. We make the best steel in the world because we have the best steelworkers in the world, and we must fight to protect those jobs.”
Co-Chairman Frank J. Mrvan stated, “I applaud the initiative of my fellow leaders and Members of the Congressional Steel Caucus for joining together to express our strong support that the Section 232 steel tariffs and quotas remain in place. We must continue to do all we can to ensure that our nation supports domestic steel companies and American steelworkers. It is necessary for the American steel industry to have a level playing field so that our innovative companies and skilled workers can lead the world in manufacturing the most environmentally-friendly and efficiently produced steel. I look forward to continuing to engage with Steel Caucus members, my colleagues, and the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that the American steel industry remains the foundation of our national economy and our national security.”
Co-Vice Chairman Rick Crawford stated, “The Section 232 tariffs have been vital to reviving the American steel industry and reinforcing our national security. The Biden administration must prioritize U.S. steelmaking over that of malicious actors, such as China, that produce cheap, subpar steel without regard to environmental impacts or working conditions. Our steel sector manufactures the high quality product we rely on for our roads, buildings, and everything in-between, and does so sustainably. Supporting American steel means supporting our environment, our jobs, and our communities, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Steel Caucus and the new administration to continue building on this foundation.”
Co-Vice Chairman Mike Bost stated, “American steelworkers produce the building blocks of our energy, transportation, and infrastructure sectors, and it is vitally important that we ensure they can compete with foreign producers. For too long, we had seen hardworking American steelworkers lose their jobs because of dumping and other unfair trade practices. However, since the Trump Administration instituted Section 232 tariffs and quotas in 2018, we’ve seen a decrease in foreign imports. These tariffs are working, and it is critical that the Biden Administration continue their use to help level the playing field for American steelworkers.”
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.
Below is a copy of the text of the letter and signatories and a pdf is attached.
Dear President Biden,
The American steel industry and its workers are critical to the nation’s economy. The industry that includes producers and fabricators supports nearly two million jobs across the country and has remained an essential industry and continued operations during the pandemic. These companies and workers make an array of products used in automotive, construction, defense, energy, and transportation and rely on a level playing field on which to compete. The industry has continued to make new investments at facilities in the U.S. and is recognized as a global leader in the production of sustainable steel products. The industry is also a critical component for our national security.
As members of the Congressional Steel Caucus, we work closely with industry and labor andrecognize the impact that unfairly traded imports and global steel overcapacity have had on the nation’s steel sector. The Caucus and its members supported the current tariffs and quotas put into place in 2018 through Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This remedy has benefited the industry and we heard from the industry about the benefits of the comprehensive program at our March 5, 2020 Caucus hearing. We concur that it is important that these tariffs and quotas remain in place to ensure the industry can continue its road to recovery.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the American steel industry and its workers were recoveringfrom repeated surges in unfairly traded steel imports – fueled by unfair trade practices, illegal government subsidies, and other forms of state intervention. The impact of the tariffs and quotas have resulted in significant reductions in imports. In fact, tariffs and quotas have decreased overall steel imports by eight percent.
However, we remain concerned that the industry remains at risk due to the lingering effects ofthe pandemic. We know that as the U.S. economy begins to recover that it will be an attractive market for foreign producers to pursue. This is why we want to ensure that the existing tariffs and quotas remain in place to ensure that imports do not take a significant share of the U.S. market as the nation begins its economic recovery.
We have worked with the industry and its workers on many initiatives and know that Americansteel is resilient. The industry is prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead but needs to have the tools to fight trade distorting practices that threaten the industry. Steel is the backbone of our economy, for over a century steel companies, workers, and communities have contributed to the American economy. From spans of steel bridges and beams used in the nation’s tallest buildings to steel plates used in the U.S. fleet, steel sheet used in auto production, and pipe and tube products used in a variety of other industries – the footprint of steel is broad and we are reminded of that in our everyday life. We support strong trade measures that will ensure a vibrant industry, good wages, and good quality of life for thousands of Americans across the country.
As the Biden-Harris administration reviews the existing tariffs and quotas in place on certain steel products, we strongly encourage the continuation of a comprehensive program. Steel is a critical component of the “Build Back Better” recovery plan and through continuation of the tariffs and quotas we can ensure that these companies and their workers can contribute to a robust economic recovery in our nation.
Sincerely,
Rep. Conor Lamb - Co-Chairman
Rep. Frank J. Mrvan - Co-Chairman
Rep. Rick Crawford - Co-Vice Chairman
Rep. Mike Bost - Co-Vice Chairman
Rep. Robert Aderholt
Rep. James R. Baird
Rep. Troy Balderson
Rep. Jim Banks
Rep. Jack Bergman
Rep. Sanford Bishop
Rep. Larry Bucshon
Rep. Jerry Carl
Rep. Earl L. ‘Buddy’ Carter
Rep. Steve Chabot
Rep. Rodney Davis
Rep. Peter DeFazio
Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Rep. Debbie Dingell
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick
Rep. John Garamendi
Rep. Bob Gibbs
Rep. Michael Guest
Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan
Rep. Richard Hudson
Rep. Bill Johnson
Rep. David P. Joyce
Rep. Marcy Kaptur
Rep. John Katko
Rep. Fred Keller
Rep. Mike Kelly
Rep. Trent Kelly
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Rep. Betty McCollum
Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Rep. Ralph Norman
Rep. Mark Pocan
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
Rep. Hal Rogers
Rep. Mike Rogers
Rep. Tim Ryan
Rep. Pete Sessions
Rep. Terri A. Sewell
Rep. Pete Stauber
Rep. Steve Stivers
Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson
Rep. Mike Turner
Rep. Jeff Van Drew
Rep. Tim Walberg
Rep. Joe Wilson
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