AISI welcomes customs bill

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) applauded the House's passage of the Customs Bill. According to the Institute, the bill should increase the requirements of US trade laws, offering more effective mechanisms to curb dumped imports and subsidized products in the US market. The bill was passed following the demands of local metallurgists, who have long been staunch supporters of these measures.

According to Thomas Gibson, president of the American Iron and Steel Institute, metallurgy sees the bill as a huge victory. In addition, action is currently being considered to mitigate the damage done to the US steel industry as a result of the increase in unfair imports of various steel products in the country. The provisions of the bill will help to effectively combat the subsequent unfair trade practices of some foreign countries. In addition, the law supports anti-dumping and countervailing duties, as well as investigations into allegedly harmful imports from other countries.

"If the US steel industry is bringing production back to pre-crisis levels, then the government should not let trade fraudsters stop it. Today's Customs Control Bill upholds the rights of American workers whose jobs are at risk from global competitors trying to circumvent trade laws," Gibson added.

AISI thanked the members of Congress for their understanding of the problems in the steel industry and for helping out through a job well done. He praised the work of the Steel Forum for including key provisions in support of the steel industry, as well as for introducing trade protection for domestic metallurgists into legislation.

Gibson at the conference also called on Congress and the Senate to meet to sort out their differences over the bill passed by both houses. AISI is the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and promotes steel market interests as the preferred material choice.