Mrvan Testifies to ITC on Section 232 Steel Tariffs

Hearing

Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan testified before the International Trade Commission (ITC) during their hearing on the economic impact of section 232 steel tariffs.

A video of his testimony is available here and the text of his statement as prepared for delivery is below.

Congressman Mrvan's testimony:

Good morning Chairman Johanson and all of the Commissioners. Thank you for allowing me to testify today during this hearing for your important fact finding investigation regarding the impact of the Section 232 steel tariffs.

As you know, Northwest Indiana is home to an incredible steel and manufacturing industry and workforce. The success of the domestic steel industry is critical to the livelihoods of individuals, families, and communities in the First Congressional District of Indiana and also to our national security and communities throughout the country.

As the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, we have been active in taking every opportunity to express our support for the value of section 232 tariffs. One of our first actions was sending a letter in February of 2021 with over fifty signatures from Members of the Steel Caucus to the administration expressing support for the continuation of these tariffs.

And just yesterday, we held a Congressional Steel Caucus hearing on the state of the steel industry, which included witnesses from the domestic steel industry. Notably, these tariffs were a key part of the discussion.

Tom Conway, President of the United Steelworkers, stated how these tariffs, "when combined with effective dumping and countervailing duty laws and relief measures, have proven effective at keeping global excess steel capacity at bay." He also stated that "the OECD indicates that excess capacity, which stood at 544 million tons in 2021, has remained at persistently elevated levels since 2018."

Rich Freuhauf from U.S. Steel stated that "strong trade enforcement and continuation of the Section 232 national security action on steel imports is critical."

Anthony Frabotta from Zekelman Industries and representing the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports stated that the Section 232 steel tariffs have "worked to reduce the number of unfairly traded imports into the United States," and that the "industry firmly supports the continuation of the Section 232 program."

As we move forward, we must continue to work to ensure that the American steel industry can compete on a level playing field so that our innovative companies and skilled workforce can remain the foundation of our national economy and our national security.

Thank you again for the opportunity to testify and for your daily public service to fully and fairly enforce our trade laws.

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