AISI Comments on Steel Tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), made the following statement in response to a report in the Financial Times this morning regarding steel and aluminum tariffs:

“It is critical that the U.S. government maintain the Section 232 national security steel tariffs. Steel is not just a commodity, it is a national security asset. Due to massive foreign government subsidies and other trade-distorting policies, global overcapacity in the steel industry is currently estimated by the OECD at 680 million metric tons and is expected to continue to grow exponentially ― to as high as 721 million metric tons by 2027. The Section 232 steel tariffs imposed by President Trump are essential to prevent this overcapacity from fueling new surges of harmful imports into the U.S. market, which would cause a profound threat to American national security and undermine the health of the American steel industry.”

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Contact: Lisa Harrison

202.452.7115 / lharrison@steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. These steels are critical to America’s national and economic security, including roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, cars and trucks and all clean energy technologies. AISI also represents 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, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.