U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill urged the protection of Missouri's manufacturing workers, raising concerns on potential import restrictions under consideration by the Administration that could harm Missouri industries that rely on them.
McCaskill raised with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer her concerns that the Administration is looking into using national security trade laws to impose strict tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, which many Missouri companies rely on.
"When we put tariffs or quotas on steel and aluminum, there will be a sweeping impact on U.S. manufacturing," said McCaskill. "We all want U.S. steel to be rising, we want our aluminum to be competitive, but I've got businesses in Missouri who use raw materials that aren't made in the United States under this category, and they are very worried--the manufacturers--about the impact that any decision in this area is going to have on not only their cost of producing goods and manufacturing goods, but they're also worried about any other national security blockades that are going to pop up around the globe in response and/or retaliation to what might be determined through the 232 process."
McCaskill this week joined a group of colleagues urging the Administration to ensure greater transparency in the process, and input from workers in businesses in making a determination about new import tariffs, writing: "As the Administration works to complete national security reviews of steel and aluminum imports undertaken pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, we write to urge you to ensure that the Administration provides stakeholders, including affected workers and business, with a full and fair opportunity to provide views on each review."
McCaskill has consistently advocated for American and Missourian manufacturing. Last year, after urging from McCaskill on behalf of Bull Moose Tube Company and EXLTUBE, the International Trade Commission voted 4-2 to level the playing field for Missouri and U.S. manufacturers by finalizing duties against foreign steel pipe and tubing producers found to be illegally dumping in the international market.
Recently, following a push from U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill and a group of colleagues, President Donald Trump announced his support for Buy America legislation. McCaskill has called on Senate leadership to act on the bill. The "Buy America" provision exists in many federal water development programs, but this provision would make it standard across the federal government.