Trade Cases

American steelmakers warmly welcome Trump steel tariffs

Written by Laura Miller

February 11, 2025

American steel producers are praising President Trump’s reignition of the 25% Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

The two major trade associations representing US steelmakers responded positively to this week’s tariff news, lauding the Trump administration’s commitment to strengthening the domestic steel industry.

“AISI welcomes President Trump’s continued commitment to a strong American steel industry, which is essential to America’s national security and economic prosperity,” said Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Dempsey noted that the association will be working closely with the administration on implementing “a robust and reinvigorated trade agenda” to level the playing field for American steelmakers.

Likewise, the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) cheered Trump’s decisive action.

“Tariffs are a powerful tool to fight against unfair trade and state-sponsored overcapacity around the world and compel other nations to take a serious approach to fair trade,” said SMA President Philip K. Bell.

These new tariff “actions are a critical component of the president’s plan to restore American manufacturing and strengthen our national security,” Bell added. “Embracing pro-growth tax policies, fighting unfair trade and comprehensive regulatory reform will fuel an economic renaissance.”

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held a variety of positions within the steel industry since 2007, including reporting and editing for Steel Business Briefing/Platts, the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and Kallanish Commodities, as well as marketing for what was then known as ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (now AM/NS Calvert). After a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel in 2021 and has covered the flat rolled, tubular, and trade areas of the industry. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

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