State of Steel Discussed in Washington

Congressman Tim Murphy is the Vice Chair of the Congressional Steel Caucus, he says the steel industry is “struggling” with many of its furnaces idle and others barely hanging on. He says the meeting Wednesday exposed three main concerns among company and union officials. They feel there is a need to level the international playing field. They fear pollution cap and trade standards in proposed climate change legislation. And they are pleading for the stimulus package to retain a provision that any steel purchased for infrastructure projects be made in the United States. Murphy dismissed complaints by other countries about the provision. He says it sets up no tariffs and international makers will still be free to sell steel in the US. The provisions requires any projects using the proposed 30 billion dollars for infrastructure projects to come from US makers unless no US steel is available or the bid for that steel is more than 25% above international bids. Murphy says at the same time the industry is calling on the Obama administration to keep a close eye on unfair trade practices abroad and go after them in world courts.