WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act, legislation that would curb the unsustainable levels of Mexican steel imports into the United States. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR).

The legislation follows letters Boozman and Cotton sent to the Biden administration addressing their concerns about the economic and national security consequences of the steel imports coming from Mexico. The bill would reinstate tariffs on Mexican steel imports and bring Mexico into compliance with the trade commitments it continues to violate.

“Mexico’s failure to comply with its agreement with the United States puts American steel producers at a competitive disadvantage. We must take steps to support our domestic industry and curb this unacceptable surge. Our bill will hold Mexico accountable for its actions,” Boozman said.

“Mexico’s violation of its 2019 agreement with the United States has released a surge of steel products into America that’s hurt our workers and made us less secure. It’s past time for more negotiation. This legislation will stop Mexico from continuing to surge steel into our market,” Cotton said.

“Mexico’s practice of steel dumping is a flagrant breach of our trade agreement and has caused significant harm to our steel industry. We cannot allow bad actors to take advantage of trade agreements by attacking one specific American industry. It’s time to put our foot down and put tariffs in place to prevent Mexico from flooding our markets and causing further damage to American steel manufacturers,” said Crawford.

Click here to read the bill text.

The Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act would: 

• Reinstate a 25 percent Section 232 tariff on Mexican steel imports for no less than one year and empower the president to impose quotas or tariff rate quotas on specific goods where there have been major surges.
• Permit the administration to lift these tariffs only once the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative certify that Mexico has adopted policies bringing it into compliance with the 2019 agreement and are confident that Mexico will maintain these policies.