Iowa's Senators Ask for Section 232 Exclusion
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and his colleague Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross asking him to bypass the normal exclusion process and lift the 25% tariffs on steel that will be…
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used to rebuild grain bins, machine sheds, or other construction projects in Iowa, and to remove the tariff for agricultural machinery manufacturers. They said that farmers who need to replace grain bins or other buildings with steel infrastructure are being gouged by “opportunists” after sustaining damage from a powerful wind storm Aug. 10, and that they don't have time to wait through the several months' process of applying for an exclusion. They said that the high prices being quoted are proof that there isn't enough domestic supply, and they believe allowing imports at market prices would curb abuses by domestic sellers. “Your staff has often said that one reason they need broad authority under the current Section 232 law is to have the flexibility in case of an emergency. Well, there’s clearly one now. We, and other Members of Congress, will be watching your response closely. We expect you to rise to the task,” they wrote.