The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating the national security implications of steel imports. In a recent testimony, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) urged specific types of tire cord-quality steel wire rod be excluded from the investigation.
The USTMA argued that domestic suppliers cannot meet volume and quality demands of U.S. tire manufacturing for this critical tire component. The association argued that tariffs or quotas on steel cord could disrupt tire production within the U.S.
“Tire manufacturing is vital to the U.S. economy,” said Tracey Norberg, USTMA senior vice president and general counsel. “Tires manufactured by USTMA members safely transport millions of Americans and millions of tons of goods each day throughout the United States. In addition, the U.S. military depends on the tire manufacturing industry to supply tires to protect our national security.”
Virtually all of the steel wire rod used to manufacture high tensile tire cord and bead wire that is consumed in U.S. tire manufacturing plants is sourced from foreign suppliers due to the stringent performance and quality requirements of tire manufacturing, the USTMA said.
USTMA’s full testimony is posted here.
