Republican congressmen request Trump administration to exempt Israel from steel and aluminium tariffs

Two congressmen on the House tax-writing committee have requested Trump administration to exempt Israel from steel and aluminium tariffs.

Republican Brad Schneider, D-Ill. and David Schweikert, R-Ariz., requested Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. trade representative, in a letter Wednesday to remove Israel from the tariff list and add to a list of exempted countries like South Korea, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.

They argued in the letter that since Israel exports a tiny portion of U.S. total imports of steel and aluminium — 0.0005 per cent and 0.12 per cent exactly, the exemption will not impact the domestic aluminium producers.

“While these numbers may seem small, the fact remains that the U.S. is a major trading partner for Israel and any disruption in the economic relationship will have a far-reaching impact,” wrote the congressmen, who are members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

“We do not believe imports of steel and aluminium from Israel are a threat to U.S. national security and are asking you to explain why Israel has not been granted an exemption,” they added.

Trump has been constantly referring to the U.S. national security factor to justify and impose steel and aluminium tariffs on its trade allies, which has already created a trade war with a few significant trade partners leading to trade disruptions and economic instability instead of improving the market situation.