Congressional Steel Caucus Urges Completion of Section 232 Investigation

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Congressional Steel Caucus is urging President Donald Trump to release a report on the impact of steel imports “as expeditiously as possible so that action can be taken to protect the American steel industry and defend our national security.”

President Donald Trump on April 20 issued a presidential memorandum directing the secretary of commerce to conduct a Section 232 investigation “to determine the effects on national security of steel imports.” While there had been indications that the investigation would be completed by June, no report has been released yet.

Lawmakers from steel-producing states have grown frustrated as Trump’s tough talk on trade has not led to concrete actions, and as his administration appears to have become more focused on other priorities.

“Without American steel, the Department of Defense would be forced to rely on foreign imports, which could become extremely dangerous during a national emergency or military conflict,” members of the caucus wrote in the Oct. 27 letter. “Therefore, a robust domestic steel industry is absolutely critical to our national security. … Each day that passes is another day that the domestic steel industry faces an onslaught of imports and the deeply harmful effects of unfair trade practices, which is why we believe the investigation must be completed as soon as possible.”

Since the investigation was announced, AIIS has engaged in an ambitious campaign to educate lawmakers, regulators, the media and the public about the benefits of steel imports and the damage that can be done by protectionist policies. Attorney Gary Horlick, for example, spoke on behalf of AIIS at a May 24 Commerce Department hearing on the issue, where he noted that “Section 232 was not intended to provide overall protection for U.S. industry,” and warned of “the certainty that other countries will retaliate against U.S. exports” if protectionist measures are implemented.

Courtesy: AIIS