Ohio Senators Welcome Decision on Steel Tariffs

WASHINGTON – Ohio’s two U.S. senators, Republican Rob Portman and Democrat Sherrod Brown, today applauded the announcement that China would lift countervailing duties and antidumping penalties against Ohio companies that ship steel to that country.

“Manufacturing exports are vital to Ohio workers, and this decision will provide a boost to Ohio steel producers,” Portman said in a statement. “I will continue to support efforts to ensure that our workers are able to operate on a level playing field around the world.”

Brown said he visited AK Steel’s plant in Zanesville earlier this year, where he listened to workers who have been impacted by unfair foreign trade.

“This announcement is great news for Ohio steel producers like AK Steel that have been harmed by unfair trade,” he noted. “Strong enforcement of trade laws is one of the best ways we can lift up America’s steel industry and its workers. That’s why I’m working to ensure a fairer marketplace for American companies.”

James J. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of AK Steel, echoed the senators’ remarks. “AK Steel welcomes the decision by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China to terminate anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on imports of grain oriented electrical steels from U.S. producers,” he said.

“As a leading global producer of high-quality GOES products, AK Steel looks forward to again serving valued customers in China,” Wainscott continued. “We greatly appreciate the continuing strong support of Senator Brown and Senator Portman on trade enforcement issues related to the domestic steel industry.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.