Scrap consumers in US call on government to remove foreign scrap trade barriers

A group representing US scrap consumers has released a list of foreign trade barriers for scrap, and has called on the US government to take measures for the removal of these barriers.
 
The American Scrap Coalition, representing over 3,200 scrap consuming companies in the US has identified more than 25 countries that have imposed barriers on the trade of steel scrap and other raw materials that it says are harming US scrap consumers.
 
In particular, the Coalition singled out Russia's recent announcement that it plans to raise export tariffs on scrap from the current 15 percent level to 120-130 euros (US$191 to $207) per metric ton. The Coalition says it considers this development "a giant, unacceptable step backward."
 
Among the countries on the list for imposing scrap export bans or heavy export taxes on scrap are: Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Argentina, India, and Ukraine. The Coalition is calling on Congress, the US Trade Representative and the US Department of Commerce to immediately address these scrap trade barriers.
 
"We are calling on the US government to negotiate where appropriate, and to take legal action where appropriate," said Alan Price of Wiley Rein LLP, counsel to the Coalition.
 
"Four years ago, when we first faced this problem, we suggested limiting US exports of steel scrap," said Tom Danjczek, president of the Steel Manufacturers Association. "At that time, the US government said they were not interested in this, and that the focus should be on removing foreign trade barriers.  If that is still the case, it is now time for the US government to get serious."
 
The Coalition's complete list of barriers is available at www.scrapcoalition.com under "Latest News."