USW to Trump: Get on With It Already
07/27/2017 - In regard to the Trump administration’s decision to delay action on new steel trade measures, the United Steelworkers union has this much to say: “What are you waiting for?”
On Wednesday, USW International President Leo Gerard issued a statement saying that a delay in taking action against steel imports will only further harm the industry.
"The time to act is now," Gerard said.
"Delay is devastating. Since the President announced an investigation in April, attacks on the U.S. steel sector have skyrocketed, with imports up 18%. Trading partners have targeted the U.S. market for fear that the United States will finally stand up for its producers and workers and protect our national security. Postponing relief is equivalent to unilateral disarmament.”
Gerard’s statement came after the Trump told The Wall Street Journal that his administration wasn’t yet ready to act under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
According to the Reuters news service, Trump told the newspaper that the administration would wait until it could finalize policy on healthcare, tax reform and infrastructure.
However, as The Washington Post reported, the imposition of new tariffs was opposed by foreign allies and by some officials in the administration.
The Post also said that gathering the data needed to support a decision may also have been a problem.
"Steel companies were still getting requests for information from the Commerce Department as recently as last week," The Post reported, citing an unidentified industry official.
"The time to act is now," Gerard said.
"Delay is devastating. Since the President announced an investigation in April, attacks on the U.S. steel sector have skyrocketed, with imports up 18%. Trading partners have targeted the U.S. market for fear that the United States will finally stand up for its producers and workers and protect our national security. Postponing relief is equivalent to unilateral disarmament.”
Gerard’s statement came after the Trump told The Wall Street Journal that his administration wasn’t yet ready to act under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
According to the Reuters news service, Trump told the newspaper that the administration would wait until it could finalize policy on healthcare, tax reform and infrastructure.
However, as The Washington Post reported, the imposition of new tariffs was opposed by foreign allies and by some officials in the administration.
The Post also said that gathering the data needed to support a decision may also have been a problem.
"Steel companies were still getting requests for information from the Commerce Department as recently as last week," The Post reported, citing an unidentified industry official.
