AISI Comments on Announcement Regarding Steel Negotiations with Brazil and Mexico

Washington, D.C. – Kevin Dempsey, interim president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), today made the following statement regarding the announcement by the Administration concerning trade negotiations with Brazil and Mexico on steel.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Administration to address steel import issues affecting American producers during this difficult time when the market for steel has declined significantly due to COVID-19. While we are seeing some modest recent improvement in market conditions, the industry continues to face significant challenges due to the sharp drop in demand this year as a result of the pandemic. So far in 2020, raw steel production is down 20 percent compared to the same period last year and steelmaking capacity utilization has only averaged approximately 66 percent this year so far, compared to nearly 81 percent during the same period last year. These difficult conditions make the industry even more vulnerable to surges in imports. We are grateful to the president and his team for their ongoing commitment to working with the steel industry to tackle the trade challenges facing the industry.”

####

Contact: Lisa Harrison
202.452.7115 / lharrison@www.steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook or Twitter (@AISISteel).