U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown Stands Up For Ohio Steelworkers
U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo yesterday urging the agency to address the improper imports of downstream grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) products by adding them to Section 232 tariffs. GOES is a necessary component of our electrical grid, which is part of our critical infrastructure and key to our national security. By adding GOES derivative products to the list of Section 232 tariffs, something the prior administration failed to do, the Biden Administration can help support additional investment to increase U.S. production of these materials.
Cleveland-Cliffs, the largest producer of flat-rolled steel in North America, is North America’s only producer of GOES. Cleveland-Cliffs which employs thousands of workers in good-paying union jobs has recently made investments to optimize GOES and NOES production at its existing facilities in response to recent, positive market developments. However, American companies remain resistant to making additional and major investments in domestic electrical steel production capabilities while unfair trade loopholes remain.
“Without strong actions by the Biden administration to address these downstream product trade distortions and provide a degree of assurance that unfair trade will not be permitted to once again decimate the U.S. electrical steel market, domestic investment to expand GOES production will not likely occur. By taking action now, the Biden Administration can help support additional investment to increase U.S. production of these materials – a win for national security, domestic industry, and American workers,” wrote the senators.