Trade Cases
Senators Urge Biden to Lift S232 Tariffs on Steel From Ukraine
Written by Brett Linton
April 6, 2022
Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.) want President Biden to lift the 25% Section 232 tariff on steel imports from Ukraine. They note in a letter to the president that Ukraine is the 13th largest steel producer in the world, and that as much as 80% of that steel is exported. The senators said that when the war with Russia ends, the Ukrainian steel industry will be a key part of the country’s economic recovery – and that lifting US tariffs would speed that recovery.
“We respectfully request that you remove the 25 percent U.S. tariff on steel imports from Ukraine to help it eventually stabilize and rebuild its economy,” the senators wrote in their letter, dated Tuesday, April 5. “The United States should do everything it can to ensure that the Ukrainian people can effectively rebuild after the war. Lifting the US tariff on steel from Ukraine is a small but meaningful way for the US to signal support for Ukraine and to provide stability and improve the country’s long-term economic outlook.”
In 2018 former President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports, including those from Ukraine. The senators think the costs of these tariffs have outweighed their benefits to US families, manufacturers, and other businesses. They also applauded President Biden for recently easing Section 232 tariffs on the EU and Japan.
US Department of Commerce data shows steel imports from Ukraine totaled 144,000 tons in 2021. They were primarily pipe and tube products. Monthly Ukrainian import levels have significantly increased since September 2021, as seen in the graph below.
Read the full request here.
By Brett Linton, Brett@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Trade Cases
Nippon eyeing new $4B U.S. Steel mill to sweeten deal: Report
Nippon Steel could build a new domestic U.S. Steel mill with a total investment of $4 billion.
Price: One-off deal for the UK, pause in China trade war, and more
International trade remains at the forefront of President Trump’s agenda, especially as new negotiations and investigations continue to be announced.
Three Italian CTL plate companies get AD duties, two removed
Commerce began a review of five producers/exporters: NLMK Verona; Officine Technosider; F.A.R. Fonderie Acciaierie; Ferriera Valsider and Metinvest Trametal.
Commerce lays out final results for CVD review on certain Korean CR products
The period under review is Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022.
Commerce gives final CVD results on certain Korean CORE products
The US Commerce Department has provided the final results for the countervailing administrative review of certain corrosion-resistant steel products (CORE) from South Korea.