25 U.S. steel and steel-related companies have appealed directly to President Donald Trump for immediate
import restrictions in a letter seen by Reuters, as a US Commerce Department national security probe
languishes and steel imports surge back to 2015 levels.
The letter followed last week’s departure of White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who had been a
vocal advocate for steel tariffs and other trade protections in the administration’s internal debates over
trade.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had set an internal deadline for announcing his steel
recommendations at the end of June, but it was delayed for a G20 summit and bilateral talks with China in
July. Trump said later that month a final decision may wait until other top priority issues on his agenda are
addressed, including healthcare and taxes.
