WASHINGTON — The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) stands proudly with the Congressional Steel Caucus as it urges the Biden administration to step up its defense of the American steel industry against unjust international trade schemes and dirty steel imports, SMA President Philip K. Bell announced today.
In a February 22 letter to the White House, members of the Congressional Steel Caucus asked the administration to “maintain the Section 232 tariffs and quotas, ensure strong trade remedy laws that address unfair trade practices, and protect our environment from high-emission foreign steel production.” The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of 37 members of Congress.
“SMA’s member companies represent more than 70 percent of American steel production and have transformed the American steel industry through the production of the highest quality steel, with the lowest emissions, found anywhere in the world,” Bell said. “We are proud to work with the Congressional Steel Caucus to encourage the Biden administration to maintain and enforce America’s trade laws as it encourages our trading partners to follow our roadmap for sustainable steel production.”
Making steel by melting scrap in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) rather than using newly mined iron ore in coal-fired blast furnaces reduces emissions by about 75 percent. SMA members use EAFs.
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 authorizes the president to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports, with exemptions for Canada and Mexico, to protect our national security. Section 232 tariffs on steel imports have been in effect since March 8, 2018.
About the SMA
SMA is the largest steel industry trade association in the United States and is the primary trade association representing North American EAF steel producers. EAF steelmakers account for almost 70 percent of domestic steelmaking capacity using an innovative, 21st century production process that is less energy-intensive and has lower carbon emissions than traditional steelmaking. For more information check out our website at www.steelnet.org or our LinkedIn page.
