Metalogic welcomes leadership shown by AIIS on recent Inside US trade article

As a supplier to the global metals industry with a significant customer base in the USA Jonas Metals Division through its US operation MCMS Compusource supports the stance taken by AIIS.

Jonas Metals operates in 21 countries world wide and has seen unsuccessful attempts to restrict trading for all parties involved. The approach proposed by AIIS is both pragmatic and sensible and deserves consideration.

AIIS shows its leadership on the issue in recent Inside U.S. Trade article: Steel-using companies tell Trump 232 probe will not fix overcapacity problem

“We fully appreciate that a significant aspect of the policy rationale for this investigation is to address steel market distortions caused by large volumes of global excess capacity,” AIIS wrote, asking Trump to terminate the investigation. “We share your deep concern regarding this serious, long-standing problem, and have called for concerted, sustained, American-led diplomatic efforts to address it.”
“However,” the institute continued, “imposing job-killing trade restrictions on steel imports will do nothing to counter and roll back the prolific use of state subsidies by some countries, most especially China, that are almost completely responsible for global excess steel capacity.”
AIIS, which says it represents 120 companies supporting 1.2 million jobs in the steel-using sector, said “it would be highly premature to consider imposing any such restrictions” before the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity has delivered its report — as it was tasked to do by the G20 leaders at this year’s summit — or held its first ministerial meeting.
That report is due in November, when a ministerial could also be held.
Echoing sentiments made by associations representing other sectors, the group wrote that “any new trade restrictions on steel imports will result in global retaliation well outside the steel realm,” adding that “retaliation is always a ‘lose-lose’ proposition.”
The companies also urge Trump “to consider the fact that the United States steel industry is already the most protected industry sector in the country, and has been for some time.”
“Let us not attempt to further protect the few at the expense of many,” AIIS wrote

This article was first published by AIIS on 3rd October 2017