Letter to Donald J. Trump, President of the United States - Ensure Nation's Steel Industry Remains Strong

Letter

Dear President Trump:

In the interest of our nation's steel industry and the jobs it supports, we urge you to take swift and decisive action in response to the Department of Commerce findings in its Section 232 investigation. We understand that the Department of Commerce has submitted the results of its investigation to you and that you have 90 days from the date of receipt to act on the findings. We ask you to respond urgently to this important request.

A productive domestic manufacturing base, particularly in iron and steel, is critical to our national security. For example, the war efforts during World War II depended on the success of the iron and steel industry in Minnesota. We are proud of our industry and the history it has in supporting our national security. However, today, as other countries expand their steel sectors with significant government support, a massive global steel surplus has harmed American workers. We need to take action to ensure our nation's steel industry remains strong.

We were encouraged last year when you signed a Presidential Memorandum prioritizing an investigation by Secretary Ross into whether steel imports threaten our national security. 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 to strengthen American import policy. In fact, following the announcement of the investigation, steel imports in the United States rose twenty-one percent. This, combined with the pre-existing market surplus, undercut our American workers and domestic industry.

In order to protect the national security interests of the United States, we urge you to take action now that you have the Department of Commerce's findings in the Section 232 investigation. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Source