U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) and Ron Kind (D-Wis.) recently called for a swift solution to the steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Walorski and Kind were joined by six other members of the Ways and Means Committee in urging the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, to prioritize lifting the tariffs and retaliation.
“American farmers, manufacturers, workers, and consumers will continue to be harmed, especially by the retaliatory measures, until an agreement is reached to lift the tariffs,” the members wrote. “[W]e urge you to put the highest priority on lifting the steel and aluminum tariffs and retaliation entirely as soon as possible.”
The full text is below:
Dear Ambassador Lighthizer,
We write today to urge you to reach a negotiated solution regarding the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexico and Canada as soon as possible.
We note that on many occasions over the past year, Administration officials linked lifting the steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexico and Canada to the success of negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
However, despite the fact that President Trump recently signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the tariffs – and the retaliation from Mexico and Canada – remain in place. American farmers, manufacturers, workers, and consumers will continue to be harmed, especially by the retaliatory measures, until an agreement is reached to lift the tariffs.
We look forward to additional consultations with you as we continue to review all aspects of the USMCA. In the meantime, however, we urge you to put the highest priority on lifting the steel and aluminum tariffs and retaliation entirely as soon as possible, and certainly before congressional consideration.
