FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)

Steel Caucus Leaders Introduce Legislation to Stop Mexican Steel Surge

3/12/2024

Washington – Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) joined Representative Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01) in introducing the Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act. They both currently serve and Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus.

The purpose of this legislation is to protect American workers and the domestic steel industry by reinstating certain tariffs on steel imports from Mexico and bring Mexico into compliance with the requirements of the 2019 Joint Agreement on Steel and Aluminum. 

Specifically, this Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act would reinstate the Section 232 tariffs on steel imports from Mexico at 25 percent for no less than a year. The measure would specify that the administration may lift these tariffs once the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative certify that Mexico has adopted policies bringing it into compliance with the 2019 Agreement. This legislation also would allow the administration to impose certain quotas or tariff rate quotas on specific goods that have experienced major surges. 

Previously, on May 10, 2023, Rep. Crawford and Rep. Mrvan sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai requesting they take action to address the surge of Mexican steel imports, and on December 18, 2023, they sent a letter on this matter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

The House legislation is cosponsored by Representatives James R. Baird (R-IN-04), Troy Balderson (R-OH-12), Jim Banks (R-IN-03), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), and Terri A. Sewell (D-AL-07), and Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.  

“Mexico’s practice of steel dumping is a flagrant breach of our trade agreement and has caused significant harm to our steel industry. We cannot allow bad actors to take advantage of trade agreements by attacking one specific American industry. It’s time to put our foot down and put tariffs in place to prevent Mexico from flooding our markets and causing further damage to American steel manufacturers,” said Rep. Crawford.

“As Vice Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I know that it is imperative that we do everything we can to defend American steelworkers against unfair trade practices. I am proud to collaborate in a bipartisan manner with my House and Senate colleagues on this initiative to ensure that our domestic steel industry will compete on a level playing field,” said Rep. Mrvan.

“Mexico’s violation of its 2019 agreement with the United States has released a surge of steel products into America that’s hurt our workers and made us less secure. It’s past time for more negotiation. This legislation will stop Mexico from continuing to surge steel into our market,” said Senator Cotton.

“Ohio steelworkers can’t wait any longer for Mexico’s cheating to stop. Workers are losing their jobs and Ohio companies are losing business now,” said Senator Brown. “When Mexico breaks the rules they agreed to, the Administration needs to hold them accountable. This bill would take the action Ohio workers desperately need to level the playing field with Mexico.”

The Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act is endorsed by the American Iron and Steel Institute, Coalition for a Prosperous America, Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports, Steel Manufacturers Association, Steel Tube Institute, and the United Steelworkers.  

Full text of the Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act is available here.