Lobbying efforts are underway for the approval of US legislation that would exempt from new tariffs on foreign aluminum and steel imports from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico. The initiative is backed by US Congress members Adriano Espaillat, Jenniffer Gonzalez, Nydia Velazquez, Luis Gutierrez, Jose Serrano, Darren Soto, Bill Pascrell and Ron DeSantis.
The legislators argue that steel shipped from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico accounts for less than 0.01% of the total US steel import, while its importance for the recovery of Puerto Rico after the damages of Hurricane Maria in 2017 “cannot be emphasized enough.” The legislators have addressed the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to present their strong support for the exemption of the country’s steel and aluminum imports from the Section 232 tariffs.
“A tariff of this significance dangerously impacts the supply of these materials, further delaying our efforts to rebuild the island’s infrastructure post Hurricane Maria and increasing costs for US taxpayers and businesses alike,” explain the legislators.
On 8 March 2018, US President Donald Trump established new standards for steel exports to the United States, with a 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminum imported from the Dominican Republic. The president exempted imports from Mexico and Canada until the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks have concluded.
Read more:
Foro Noticioso
Adriano Espaillat website
10 May 2018
