Trade Cases
SMA, AISI cheer Trump's action on reciprocal tariffs
Written by Ethan Bernard
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
Read more from Ethan BernardLatest in Trade Cases
Leibowitz: With ‘reciprocal’ tariffs struck down again in court, what happens next?
President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Policy Act (IEEPA) were struck down again, this time on Aug. 29 by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC). The legal and policy mess continues, with the next stop being the US Supreme Court.
Market unfazed by US circuit court’s IEEPA decision
Repealing any reciprocal tariffs placed by President Donald Trump on US imports of direct reduced iron (DRI), iron ore, hot-briquetted iron (HBI), and pig iron would have only a nominal impact on the US steel market, market participants said.
ITC votes to keep HR duties after sunset review
The US government determined this week that hot-rolled steel imports from a handful of countries continue to threaten the domestic steel industry.
Steel Summit: Zekelman advocates for ‘Fortress North America’
Barry Zekelman has a unique vantage point from which to view today’s trade landscape. A Canadian national who owns operations in both the US and Canada, he has also had dialogue with both Canadian and American administrations.
Steel Summit: Execs urge clarity on trade/tariff policy, want stronger USMCA
Tariff policy dominated the discussion of the SMU Steel Summit trade panel on Tuesday afternoon. The message was clear: uncertainty is rattling the steel supply chain.