Hatch Statement on Administration Aluminum, Steel Tariff Announcement

WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced it will impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from the European Union, Canada and Mexico:

“My position remains unchanged: Tariffs on steel and aluminum imports are a tax hike on Americans and will have damaging consequences for consumers, manufacturers and workers. We should build on our success in overhauling the nation's tax code with complementary trade policies that, rather than favoring one narrow industry, make all sectors of the U.S. economy more competitive. In light of the mounting evidence that these tariffs will harm Americans, I will continue to push the administration to change course.” 

Background: In March, Hatch expressed disappointment with the administration's announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of U.S. trade law. Later that month, the administration announced its findings regarding a 301 trade case on Chinese practices related to the forced transfer of American technology and intellectual property. While Hatch commended the administration for taking much-needed action toward China, he again expressed concern with their approach on tariffs. And, last week, after the U.S. Department of Commerce launched a Section 232 investigation into imports of automobiles, trucks and automotive parts, Hatch called the move deeply misguided.

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