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    Analysis

    January 29, 2026

    Steel execs praise Trump, call for firm hold on S232 ahead of USMCA review

    Written by David Schollaert

    A coalition of US steel industry CEOs has formally urged President Trump to maintain—and fully enforce—current Section 232 tariffs on steel and steel‑containing goods.

    The group credits the strengthened tariff regime, including the increase to a 50% rate and expanded coverage to downstream derivative products, as key drivers of a resurgence in domestic steelmaking and new manufacturing investment.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

    Read more from David Schollaert

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