Washington D.C. – In an effort to tackle the growing demand for Mexican steel imports U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has joined forces together with Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark. ), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) as well as a multi-party group of 11 Senate colleagues. Senators from all parties called for Biden Administration Biden Administration to implement swift action to limit the unsustainable growth in Mexican steel coming into to the U.S. market.
In a letter sent an email addressed to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Senators asked the Administration to set a specific date for Mexico to adhere to the agreement it signed to the U.S. They also stressed the need for a strong response to stop the increase in Mexican steel imports in the event that Mexico fails to respect the terms of the agreement.
This year, senators expressed their deep concern about the escalating demand for Mexican steel imports, and demanded the Administration to take action. Despite all this however, they have not been able to get the Mexican government has not yet follow through with the 2019 agreement which has led to a delay which is negatively impacting American steel-related jobs.
In the letter addressed to Sullivan in the letter, senators wrote, “Every day this Administration does not make Mexico to account for the flagrant breach of the 2018 Joint Agreement, our critical steel industry in the United States is at risk.” They also highlighted the urgent need for urgent action to safeguard American jobs and ensure the security of our nation.
Senator Britt stressed the urgent nature of the issue, saying, “This unacceptable surge in Mexican steel imports could threaten decent-paying Alabama jobs and adversely affecting communities across the country. The Administration is responsible to effectively enforce U.S. trade agreements and safeguard our national security, and urgent action is required to address this critical problem.”
Senators also brought the attention of recent events, such as Grupo Simek’s announcement to shut down Republic Steel plants in Ohio and New York, resulting in the loss of 500 well-paying jobs. They expressed concern about Mexico’s unwillingness to commit to the agreement of 2019 in light of Grupo Simek’s choice to move production from Mexico and not invest into U.S.-based assets.
In addition to Senators Britt, Cotton, and Brown in signing the letter with them were Senators John Boozman (R-Ark. ), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass. ), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bob Casey (D-Penn. ) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
The senators ended the letter with a request for to hear from the national security advisor Jake Sullivan by December 31 2023. He will then provide an update regarding the next steps of the administration in bringing post-breach talks to an end.
