Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Tom Cotton, Sherrod Brown, and a bipartisan group of 11 Senate colleagues have escalated pressure on the Biden Administration to take action against the surge in Mexican steel imports. In a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the Senators called for the Administration to set a clear deadline for Mexico to enforce its 2019 agreement with the U.S. If Mexico fails to comply, the Senators urged the Administration to take strong action to counter the increase in Mexican steel imports.

Senator Britt emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Every day this Administration fails to hold Mexico accountable for its blatant violation of the 2019 Joint Agreement, our critical domestic steel industry is harmed." The surge in Mexican steel imports has resulted in the closure of Republic Steel plants in Ohio and New York, leading to the loss of over 500 high-paying jobs.

The Senators expressed their concerns about the Mexican government's lack of seriousness in adhering to the 2019 agreement. They highlighted the decision of Grupo Simek, a Mexican company, to close plants in the United States and shift production to Mexico. This move further underscores the need for the Administration to take immediate action to address the issue.

In their letter to National Security Advisor Sullivan, the Senators wrote, "This breach, and the resulting surge, threatens our manufacturing base and American national security, and demands immediate action from the administration." They also urged the Administration to set a clear deadline for the implementation of an export monitoring agreement. If Mexico fails to meet this deadline or proves unwilling or unable to enforce the 2019 Joint Agreement, the Senators called on the Administration to take aggressive action to counter the increase in Mexican steel imports.

The Senators also raised concerns about Mexico's failure to comply with the 2019 Joint Agreement and ongoing attempts by Mexican steel companies to increase their market share in the United States. They commended Ambassador Tai for securing a commitment from Mexican Economic Minister Buenrostro to reinstate export monitoring and ensure future compliance with the agreement. However, they expressed concerns about the Mexican government's delay in finalizing the agreement and negotiating in bad faith.

The Senators concluded their letter by requesting an update from the Administration on their next steps in driving the negotiations to conclusion.

The surge in Mexican steel imports poses a significant threat to the U.S. manufacturing base and national security. Immediate action is needed to address this pressing issue and protect American jobs in the steel industry. The Senators' call for the Administration to take strong action and set clear deadlines for compliance is an important step in safeguarding the interests of the United States.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.britt.senate.gov/press-releases/u-s-senators-katie-britt-tom-cotton-sherrod-brown-colleagues-escalate-pressure-on-administration-to-stop-surge-in-mexican-steel-imports