Trade Cases

SMA, AISI cheer Trump's action on reciprocal tariffs

February 14, 2025

Two US trade associations representing domestic steel producers have come out in favor of President Donald Trump’s announcement on reciprocal tariffs.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) have both lauded Trump’s “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” for trade, which was signed as a presidential memorandum on Thursday.

The plan calls for reciprocal tariffs to be placed on US trading partners after an analysis of the trade situation with each nation by the US government.

AISI

“AISI applauds President Trump’s action today (Thursday) ordering the development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in US trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements,” Kevin Dempsey, AISI president and CEO, said in a statement.

He pointed out that American steelmakers are quite familiar with the negative impact of unfair foreign trade practices. These include subsidies and currency manipulation, among others.

Additionally, he noted global overcapacity in the steel industry reached 573 million metric tons in 2024 because of unfair trade practices.

“We look forward to working with the Secretary of Commerce, the US Trade Representative and other key administration officials as they develop their plan of action,” Dempsey concluded.

SMA

At the same time, SMA President Philip K. Bell also hailed President Trump’s action.

“The Steel Manufacturers Association thanks President Trump for fighting to put American workers first,” Bell said in a statement. “Today, when he signed the Fair and Reciprocal Plan, President Trump boldly declared to the world that the United States will no longer be taken advantage of.”

Bell said the steel industry has had a front-row seat to the illegal dumping of “heavily subsidized, cheap steel” into America by China and other countries.

“This behavior threatens our national and economic security. More than ever, we need to build our domestic manufacturing capabilities,” Bell commented.

“By reinstating and closing loopholes on the 232 tariffs, adopting the America First Trade Policy and signing the Fair and Reciprocal Plan, President Trump has leveled the playing field for American workers,” Bell added.

SMA also looks forward to continuing to work with the administration on fair trade.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.