Trade Cases
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/47dfc222dd5e0fecbcee61bc772c3cec.jpg)
SMU Market Trends: Most Feel Auto Imports Not a Real Threat
Written by Tim Triplett
July 9, 2018
Are imports of motor vehicles and auto parts a threat to the security of the United States? More than three out of four respondents to last week’s Steel Market Update market trends questionnaire say no.
Citing the same argument that it used to justify the tariffs on steel and aluminum under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the Trump administration contends imports of cars and trucks are a danger to a healthy domestic automotive industry. “Core industries such as automobiles and automotive parts are critical to our strength as a nation,” said the White House.
In late May, President Trump instructed Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to investigate whether imports of foreign-made vehicles and parts pose a threat to U.S. automakers, and thus to national security. The administration reportedly is considering tariffs of 25 percent, up from the current 2.5 percent. Public hearings on the proposal, which faces strong opposition from both inside and outside the auto sector, are set for July 19-20 in Washington.
Only 24 percent of the steel industry executives polled by SMU support the administration’s plan for automotive tariffs. Following is a sampling of respondents’ comments:
• “Stupefyingly ridiculous!”
• “None of this is justified, but it’s still happening.”
• “The current administration is determined to rebalance trade deficits and will do whatever they feel they need to do in order to achieve this—at the expense of all common sense and with disregard for the negative long-term high-cost effects on the U.S. economy.”
• “Ford, GM and Fiat also import parts from other countries for their assembly plants. The Big Three could end up as collateral damage.”
• “Yes, it’s justified on cars made outside of the United States. Especially luxury cars. Tax them more; they are bought by the wealthy anyway.”
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/tim-triplett.jpeg)
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Trade Cases
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/fist.png)
Steel industry groups urge House action on LTPF 2.0
Six steel industry organizations have urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to include the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act in any proposed package of legislation against China’s "unfair" trade practices.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Poor steel margins continue to push down raw material prices
Both iron ore and coking coal prices fell this week because of resistance from buyers. Iron ore prices have continued to fall throughout the past week, following sharp declines in steel prices in China, given no new policy announcement from the ‘Third Plenum’ meeting.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Imports cause concern in India and Vietnam
High levels of steel imports, especially from China, in recent months are worrying steel makers in India and Vietnam.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Price-Alan-FullRes-3000px-scaled.jpg)
Price: The new greenwashing – subsidies to bail out obsolete, excess capacity
The United Kingdom and other countries are using the “green” label to subsidize bailouts of obsolete, inefficient, and excess capacity that should exit the market. US steelmakers have invested billions of dollars in technologies that curb greenhouse gas output. These investments have been market-based and led by EAF producers such as Nucor, Steel Dynamics, and CMC.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/AISI.png)
AISI, AISC, University of Massachusetts get ~$6.4M EPA grant
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst have received a grant to enhance emissions reporting for steel construction projects.