U.S. Commerce Secretary defends steel and aluminum tariffs

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross again defended steel and aluminum tariffs, calling them necessary to revive both industries, especially given China's growth.

"America's remarkable steel industry revitalization won't happen without President Trump's Section 232 tariffs," Ross said in a post published this week.

The opposition focused on a reduction in US metal production coupled with a rise in imports, arguing that US aluminum production, in particular, "suffered a virtual collapse."

Ross singled out China as the main factor in the decline in US steel and aluminum. “Today, China is the root source of global overcapacity,” he said, adding that US steel production is about 10% of China's in 2017.

“We cannot allow China to export its internal employment problems to threaten industries critical to US national security,” Ross said. “We asked our friends and channel partners to help us curb this redundancy.”

Ross was not the only Trump official to defend U.S. trade this week. The White House economic adviser also said the US is currently discussing trade with Mexico and the EU.

The administration's latest defense by its actions is in the midst of criticism from Section 232 secrets.

Bills requiring congressional approval before any duties could be imposed under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 were proposed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

In addition, Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican-Washington, on Wednesday called on President Trump to exempt Canada and Mexico from steel and aluminum tariffs in a hearing on how tariffs are affecting U.S. agriculture.