US industries write to Trump administration for aluminium, steel tariffs removal

On Wednesday, January 23, dozens of US industry groups wrote a letter to the Trump administration pleading for an end to steep US tariffs on aluminium and steel, a report said.

Industries reported that they had been suffering not only because of the increased metals costs caused by the additional US tariffs but also due to the retaliatory duties imposed by countries like China and Mexico.

"The continued application of metal tariffs means ongoing economic hardship for US companies that depend on imported steel and aluminium," said the letter, signed by four dozen industry groups.

In the letter, even though the industries applauded the newly-agreed US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, they at the same time warned that for "many farmers, ranchers and manufacturers, the damage from the reciprocal trade actions in the steel dispute far outweighs any benefit that may accrue to them from the USMCA."

China retaliated against the US with tariffs on their key export items soon after Trump declared 25% and 10% duties on imported steel and aluminium on March 2018. Mexico and Canada fired back too after the initial exemption expired and the tariffs began to bite in June last year.

Despite the agreement on a new free trade deal, Mr. Trump, however, has not made clear if the aluminium and steel duties would be removed or not.

"We urge you to take all necessary steps to resolve this matter so that zero-tariff North American trade can resume, and we can turn our attention to working with you to gain prompt Congressional approval of the USMCA," the letter stated.

The letter was signed by big industrial representatives like the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, the National Association of Egg Farmers, and the National Restaurant Association.