AEM and Steel Consumers Meet with U.S. Trade Representative

November 10, 2004—The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and seven other members of the Steel Consumer Coalition met in late October with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to bring to his attention challenges facing steel consumers.

 

The group made the following points: that U.S. prices of steel are higher than anywhere else in the world; steel consumers cannot pass these rising costs along; and government controls hurt domestic consumers. Ambassador Zoellick discussed the issues of restrictions on coke exports and scrap and the effect of currency changes on steel imports/exports. He pledged to continue the dialogue and include other senior Administration officials.