Steel industry protests proposed US measures against imports

February 20, 2018

Tokyo- Japan Iron and Steel Federation Chairman Kosei Shindo voiced Monday his strong displeasure at US Commerce Department-recommended measures against steel imports.

The anti-import recommendations, including options of imposing tariffs and quantitative restrictions, to President Donald Trump "are very regrettable," Shindo said in a statement.

The department asked Trump to consider the recommended measures to regulate steel imports after its investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act on the effect of those imports on the US national security. It also made similar recommendations for imports of aluminum products.

"The Japanese steel industry has insisted that imports of steel products are integral to the US economy and do not threaten the national security of the United States," Shindo said. "We expect President Trump to carefully examine the recommendations and make correct judgment."

According to Japanese industry people, mainstay US-bound products are steel tubes for piping and rails for mining railways, both of which maintain high performance in harsh environments. Products with high resistance to bending stresses, such as vehicle underbody members, also make up a large portion of Japanese exports to the United States, where local manufacturers alone cannot meet demand for such products.

"It is US consumers that will face problems" if steel imports are curbed, said an official of a major steelmaker. Jiji Press