en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) expressed support for three recent initiatives by the Donald J. Trump administration, including a measure to strengthen the review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) documents attached to imported products.
Brandon Farris, Executive Vice President of SMA, issued a statement saying that the effectiveness of trade policy depends on its enforcement, and the executive orders signed this week reinforce the government's commitment to American manufacturing, aiming to combat unfair trade practices that harm domestic producers and lead to job losses for American workers.
In the same statement, Farris referred to the Section 232 steel tariffs as "the most significant government action affecting manufacturing in a generation," stating that these tariffs have revitalized the U.S. steel industry, spurred historic investments, and helped bring high-paying manufacturing jobs back to communities that have long formed the backbone of America's industrial strength.
Regarding the new CBP import requirements, Farris said these actions target importers who deliberately misclassify products, undervalue imports, or evade tariffs through transshipment schemes, thereby enhancing the integrity of trade laws and supporting the industry's continued investments in U.S. steelmaking.
In an executive order on June 3, the Trump White House indicated its intention to revise importer qualification regulations, guidelines, and policies, including increased reporting requirements for importers of record (IOR).
The most prominent among the revisions is a requirement for the IOR to "maintain at all times the minimum level of domestic tangible assets, bonds, or both, as determined by CBP to be necessary to ensure compliance with U.S. customs and trade laws."
The executive order further stated that it is necessary for the U.S. to impose stricter requirements on foreign IORs, as they are more likely to evade payment of debts and other consequences arising from non-compliance with U.S. customs and trade laws.
Earlier this month, SMA issued a statement supporting the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, which is under consideration by the House Armed Services Committee.
Farris stated that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 takes meaningful steps to strengthen the domestic industrial base, referencing steel-intensive shipbuilding activities. He noted that the bill sends a much-needed policy signal to boost U.S. shipbuilding capacity, and SMA commended the committee for directing the Department of War to conduct a comprehensive analysis to encourage domestic supply of materials for defense applications.
In late May, Philip K. Bell, President and CEO of SMA, wrote a column on the CRU Steel Market Update website regarding the review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) led by the Donald J. Trump administration, calling it an opportunity to build on the progress already achieved in the U.S. steel industry.
Bell wrote in the column that U.S. trade policy is working, with domestic steel production rising and steel imports declining, and SMA members are leading record investments in safe, modern, and efficient steelmaking capacity. He argued that the USMCA review process should continue to support these achievements.
SMA describes itself as representing the electric arc furnace (EAF) steel industry, which accounts for 70% of U.S. steel production and uses 90% to 95% scrap iron to produce steel.
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