The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), whose members represent over 75 percent of North American steel production, issued the following statement to US President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday from AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson:
"On behalf of AISI and its member companies, I congratulate you on your historic election victory. This is a truly critical time in terms of the nation's economy, which impacts every American. It is also a critical time for America's manufacturing sector, of which the steel industry is a fundamental component, annually adding 1.2 million jobs and $350 billion to the economy.
We are committed to working with your Administration and Members of the 111th Congress in support of a pro-manufacturing agenda that will:
- Establish and enforce trade policies that will truly level the international playing field for all manufacturers;
- Develop a national energy policy that ensures reliable, affordable sources of energy;
- Eliminate policies that put US manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage by significantly raising their costs;
- Adopt an approach to climate change that holds foreign manufacturers to comparable standards so that American manufacturing jobs stay in America and don't migrate to countries with lower environmental standards, thus harming the environment;
- Invest in strengthening and modernizing America's transportation infrastructure through a long-term strategy that will help reduce the nation's transportation costs, energize commerce and keep America's economy moving."
Gibson then identified several objectives in support of trade policies that AISI believes will "level the international playing field" for manufacturers, including: revaluation of China's currency, stronger trade laws and enforcement, WTO policy changes to promote fair trade, policies to promote US investment and reduce the burdens of rising health care, energy, litigation and regulatory costs.
AISI is comprised of 27 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.