Steel caucus pushes US trade officials to maintain strong S232 program

The Caucus leaders urged adequate protection and policies for the domestic steel industry, including producers and fabricators, noting that the industry “serves as the backbone for the automotive manufacturing, construction, defense, energy, and transportation industries.”

The letter highlighted the increasingly challenging market conditions around the world, “with weakening demand coinciding with continued, unchecked capacity expansion.”

“Now is not the time to waver on our shared commitment to a strong and sustainable American steel industry,” Crawford and Mrvan stated.

They noted their support for the actions already taken by the Trump administration to strengthen and expand Section 232 measures, but urged it “not to accept any arrangements that will weaken the program and undermine the President’s national security objectives.”

Pushing further, the Steel Caucus leaders implored the Commerce Secretary and USTR “to continue promoting policies that crack down on unfair trade practices, close prior loopholes that have directly harmed domestic producers, and allow the American steel industry and its workers to thrive.”