Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today commended the Biden administration’s proclamation strengthening rules for steel and aluminum to qualify for trade benefits between the United States and Mexico.
The proclamation requires that steel be “melted and poured” in North America and aluminum be “smelted and cast” not in countries of concern to qualify for zero tariffs when traded between the two countries under the Section 232 relief measures.
“President Biden’s actions today are yet another example of his support for domestic steel and aluminum workers,” said USW International President David McCall. “The president is helping to close loopholes in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that allowed for foreign steel and aluminum to enter the United States through Mexico without significant value being created in that country.
“From infrastructure investments to Buy America enhancements to raising tariffs on China to direct investments in these industries to today’s proclamation, President Biden has a long record of support for steel and aluminum.”
McCall said that global overcapacity and surging imports remain an ongoing concern and that the U.S. market continues to be a be a target for predatory and unfairly traded shipments of basic steel and aluminum products.
“We’re grateful that the president takes this threat seriously and continues fighting to achieve a level playing field for American workers,” McCall said.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org.
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