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
Canada agrees to drop most retaliatory tariffs
Canada has agreed to drop some retaliatory tariffs on US products, effective Sept. 1.
Price on trade: What a difference a year makes!
As everyone surely knows by now, the SMU Steel Summit starts on Monday in Atlanta, Ga. So, this is a great opportunity to reflect on how much has changed since the 2024 Summit. Certainly, no one could have imagined the wholesale and transformative changes to U.S. and global trade policy.
Canadian steelmakers call for protection after US adds derivatives to S232
The Canadian Steel Producers Association expressed dismay upon the news that the Trump administration had added over 400 products to the list of derivative products covered by the 50% Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum.
China opens WTO dispute with Canada over steel, aluminum
China has requested dispute consultations with Canada at the WTO about Canadian measures on Chinese steel and aluminum imports.
Inclusion requests result in 400+ additions to S232’s derivatives list
The Commerce Department has added over 400 HTS codes to the list of steel and aluminum derivative products covered under the Section 232 tariffs.