WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) today applauded President Trump’s announcement that he will enforce a global 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This long-overdue action will protect American manufacturers and workers from the devastating surge of foreign imports that has harmed U.S. industry, particularly from Mexico in blatant violation of the 2019 Joint Steel and Aluminum Agreement. Importantly, the President’s action extends to downstream products that are steel and aluminum intensive, incentivizing domestic production across the full value supply chain.
“For years, CPA has been calling for decisive action to address the unchecked flood of steel and aluminum imports, particularly from Mexico in blatant violation of the 2019 Joint Steel and Aluminum Agreements,” said Zach Mottl, Chairman of CPA. “President Trump’s decision to implement global tariffs is a critical step toward restoring stability to American industry, safeguarding domestic production, and ensuring these critical sectors are not harmed by a surge of imports. The only way to rebuild domestic industrial capacity is through strong and enforceable trade policies, and these tariffs are a major step in the right direction.”
Last month, CPA urged President Trump to take immediate action to address Mexico’s ongoing violations of its commitments under the 2019 Joint Steel and Aluminum Agreement. Under that deal, the U.S. agreed to remove Section 232 tariffs in exchange for Mexico capping its steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. at 2015-2017 levels. Mexico almost immediately breached the agreement, flooding the U.S. with steel exports that have surged as high as 472% above agreed-upon levels for some product categories in 2023, with 2024 projections exceeding 700%.
“This decision sends a clear message that the days of foreign countries exploiting the U.S. market at the expense of American producers and workers are over,” said Jon Toomey, President of CPA. “Our members and the American workers they employ have already been directly harmed by the surge of steel and aluminum imports. President Trump is putting American industry first, and CPA stands firmly behind this action. Importantly, this action covers downstream products—those that depend on steel and aluminum—to incentivize domestic production across the full value supply chain and truly restore American industrial strength.”
CPA Members Harmed by Mexican Import Surge
The unchecked flood of low-priced steel imports—particularly from Mexico—has forced major U.S. plant closures and put thousands of American jobs at risk. Nucor Corporation recently announced it will halt production at its Connecticut wire rod mill, citing unfair import competition. Liberty Steel’s recent closure as well as Zekelman Industries’ Wheatland Tube plant in Chicago, which resulted in 250 layoffs, are additional examples of the harm.
CPA’s economic analysis indicates that over one million American jobs are at risk due to the Mexican steel surge and the broader import crisis. Mexico’s actions are not those of a reliable ally and are directly harming America’s industrial base. An additional CPA economic analysis shows that the U.S. aluminum industry is being harmed by a surge of imports, with some product categories seeing a 380% increase since 2015.
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