AISI Statement On Malaysia And Cambodia Trade Pacts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute, today provided the following statement in response to President Trump's signing of trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia:

"AISI commends President Trump, Ambassador Greer and the entire Trump administration trade team for securing commitments by the Government of Malaysia to join the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity and to take effective actions to address global excess capacity in the steel sector and its impacts. It is critical that we build a coalition of like-minded countries committed to taking action to address the global steel excess capacity crisis.

"AISI also welcomes the provisions in both the Malaysian and Cambodian trade agreements whereby the two countries agree to adopt and effectively enforce measures to combat circumvention and evasion of duties applied by the United States. These include commitments to expand cooperation and exchange of information with the United States related to antidumping and countervailing duty actions, including in particular circumvention inquiries. Enhanced cooperation with trading partners on trade enforcement, including with regard to schemes to circumvent and evade U.S. tariffs and trade remedy orders, is essential to combatting unfair trade practices in steel around the world.

"In addition, AISI welcomes Malaysia's commitments to refrain from banning critical mineral exports to the United States, to eliminate any rare earth element export quotas to the United States, and to develop Malaysia's rare earth and critical minerals sector in partnership with U.S. companies to ensure secure and diversified supply chains. Foreign export restrictions on critical minerals limit key inputs for steel production and can act as an unfair subsidy to foreign steel producers.

"AISI greatly appreciates the Trump administration's continuing efforts to collaborate with trading partners to address global steel excess capacity and unfair trade in steel in order to preserve the competitiveness of the American steel industry."

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Contact: Lisa Harrison

202.452.7115 / [email protected]

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI's membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. These steels are critical to America's national and economic security, including roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, cars and trucks and all clean energy technologies. AISI also represents associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI's website at https://www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.