Letter to Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce - Conclude Investigation of National Security Risks Posed by Foreign Steel Imports

Letter

Dear Secretary Ross:

We urge you to promptly conclude your investigation of the national security risks posed by foreign steel imports and make recommendations to the President for immediate action. A productive domestic manufacturing base, particularly in iron and steel, is critical to our national security. For example, the successful war effort during World War II depended on the robust iron and steel industry in Milll1esota. In 1945, the United States, led by workers on Minnesota's Iron Range, produced sixty-seven percent of the world's pig iron and seventy-two percent of the world's steel. This enabled the consistent and efficient production of necessary high-quality military systems and equipment for the United States military. We are proud of the role Milll1esota's workers played in willl1ing World War II, and we must ensure these industries continue to have the capacity to produce raw materials that are vital to our national security apparatus.

However, as other countries expand their steel sectors with significant government support, massive global steel surplus has harmed American workers and weakened our critical defense­ industrial base. The bipartisan U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which was established by Congress to provide expertise on issues such as this, shares our concern about the risk of a diminished U.S. iron and steel industry. Last year, they reported "rampant overcapacity also poses a national security risk to the United States, as cheap Chinese steel and finished aluminum product imports threaten to hollow out the domestic industries and weaken the national defense industrial base."

Earlier this year we were encouraged when you took action to address this problem by announcing a Section 232 investigation on this matter. However, we have since become concerned that the administration 's inaction in resolving the investigation is actually making the situation worse . As you know, the initial announcement of a Section 232 investigation prompted a flood of steel imports when foreign countries sought to preempt any action taken by the administration to adjust American import policy. In fact, since the Section 232 investigation was announced steel imports in the United States have risen twenty-one percent. This is adding to the pre-existing market surplus that continues to undercut American workers and industry.

In order to protect the national security interests of the United States, the Department of Commerce should act quickly to conclude the Section 232 case and take action to ensure our nation's steel industry remain strong. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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