The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) is urging the U.S. government to update trade laws to effectively combat dumping and circumvention of protective measures. In a recent statement, AISI, along with several other steel industry groups, sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders advocating for the adoption of the Playing Field 2.0 Act. This legislation aims to equip the Department of Commerce with essential tools to address unfair trade practices.
AISI President and CEO Kevin Dempsey highlighted that the current anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws have not been revised since 2015, leaving them outdated in the face of evolving evasion tactics by foreign competitors. He expressed concerns over cross-border subsidies, particularly those related to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which are not adequately addressed by existing laws.
Dempsey also criticized China's non-compliance with World Trade Organization obligations, noting its continued use of significant subsidies that harm U.S. steel producers. AISI's advocacy for updated trade legislation reflects the ongoing challenges faced by the domestic steel industry, which currently contends with 309 anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders against steel products from 45 countries.
