Steel, recycling trade groups differ in 'Liberation Day' reactions

However, the Recycled Materials Association (ReMa) took a more cautious approach, and thought it could hurt US manufacturing.

AISI

Kevin Dempsey, AISI president and CEO, lauded the president’s actions.

“AISI thanks President Trump for standing up for American workers by restoring fairness in international trade and addressing non-reciprocal trade relationships,” Dempsey said in a statement on Wednesday.

Dempsey pointed to high levels of exports of steel from countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia that he said directly and indirectly injure US steel producers.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Secretary of Commerce, the US Trade Representative, and other officials as they implement the president’s plan to ensure fairness and reciprocity in international trade,” he said.

SMA

SMA President Philip K. Bell also cheered President Trump on reciprocal tariffs.

“President Trump is a champion of the domestic steel industry, and his America First Trade Policy is designed to fight the unfair trade that has harmed American workers and weakened manufacturing in the United States,” Bell said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The recently reinvigorated 232 steel tariffs have already started creating American jobs and bolstering the domestic steel industry,” he added.

Bell said that “the tariffs are working to bring more steel investments and production to the United States.”

ReMA

At the same time, ReMA’s reaction was much more measured.

The association pointed out it has long supported free and fair trade policies.

However, ReMa said in a statement on Wednesday: “The imposition of new tariffs on our international trading partners will significantly disrupt US manufacturing and recycling operations that depend on recycled material inputs.”

The association commented that US recyclers “rely on international market access to support their workforce.”

ReMa continued that the “new tariffs, and any retaliatory measures they may provoke, will only reduce the competitiveness of our industry and the manufacturers that rely on recycled materials.”

Still, the association said it looks forward to “continuing to work with the administration and Congress to support the growth of American manufacturing and broader US economy.”