Washington, D.C.—Today, the New Democrat Coalition sent a press release highlighting the work of the Trade Task Force on ending Section 232 tariffs, where Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) serves as Co-Chair.  The New Democrat Coalition is the U.S. House of Representatives’ largest Democratic caucus, committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies.

From the New Democrat Coalition’s release:

Today, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) trade leaders, led by Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Ron Kind (WI-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), and NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), urged U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai to quickly eliminate the Trump-era 232 tariffs on U.S. allies, following the recent agreement struck with the European Union. Working with the United Kingdom, Japan, and other close trading partners to end the harmful tariffs will help lower costs for Americans, reduce inflationary pressures, and provide a path forward for better coordination to address global overcapacity challenges.

“We must end the harmful 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from our allies imposed during the Trump Administration,” said New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Trade Task Force Co-Chair Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07).  “I was glad to work with my NDC colleagues, including Trade Task Force Co-Chair Congressman Ron Kind (WI-03), and NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) in urging the Department of Commerce to take swift action to eliminate tariffs on our international partners to keep our domestic manufacturers competitive and lower costs for American consumers.”

"To secure relief for Wisconsin manufacturers, farmers, and families, we need to eliminate the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by the former Administration on our allies," said NDC Trade Task Force Co-Chair Ron Kind (WI-3). "I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Raimondo and Ambassador Tai to find a path towards removing these tariffs, leveling the playing field for Wisconsinites, and addressing global overcapacity challenges."

“Ending misguided Trump-era Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from U.S. allies and trading partners will provide much needed relief for American workers, families, and manufacturers,” said NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “The U.S. is made stronger and safer through our economic ties with our allies and close trading partners, and the New Democrat Coalition looks forward to continuing to work with Secretary Raimondo and Ambassador Tai to advance a pro-growth trade agenda that promotes American businesses, creates jobs, and strengthens American leadership of the global rules-based order.” 

The letter reads in part,

“We are encouraged by your recent announcement of formal consultations with Japan on steel and aluminum and ask that you begin similar consultations with the United Kingdom and other close trading partners and move quickly in these discussions as downstream users continue to face astonishingly high prices in steel and aluminum.

“It is imperative that the United States continue to set the rules for the global economy, rather than have them set by others. We look forward to working with you and President Biden in executing a trade agenda that meets the challenges and opportunities of the 21^st century; promotes American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses; lowers costs for American families; recommits to multilateralism and U.S. global leadership; and strengthens our allies and close trading partners. A pro-growth trade agenda and sufficient supply of steel and aluminum at a cost-competitive price is critical as we implement President Biden’s historic investments in infrastructure and continue our ongoing legislative efforts to build back better and bolster U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and global supply chains.”

Full text of the letter can be found here.

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