The coalition of American metal manufacturers seek Biden to end tariffs on aluminium, steel

The coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users asked President Joe Biden to end tariffs on aluminium and steel imports and setting the platform for a debate on protective trade measures.

A few days earlier the US President said he would keep tariffs on aluminium imports from the United Arab Emirates, a major supplier, reversing a last-minute directive by Ex-President Donald Trump.

But the Group said: “The tariffs hurt family-owned businesses and fractured relationships with trading partners.”

A letter from the group stated that Biden to end former President Donald Trump’s tariffs and to ask countries to address the issue of excess aluminium and steel capacity in China.

Paul Nathanson, the Executive Director of the group, said in the letter dated 10^th February 2021: “By taking action to terminate the Trump tariffs, your administration can prevent US manufacturers from shutting down production lines, laying off workers, and potentially even closing their doors.”

“Thousands of manufacturers cannot procure the necessary raw materials in the US in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities ––and of a satisfactory quality –– leading American companies to rely on imports,” he said.

However, the United Steelworkers, most US steel producers and Century Aluminium Co. have asked Biden to maintain tariffs.

The coalition said it represents more than 30,000 companies and more than one million workers.

The Office of the US Trade Representative said: “Aluminium ranks as the UAE’s biggest exported goods by value to the US. The Arab nation sold $1.3 billion worth of the metal to American buyers in 2019.”