Donald Trump set the stage for a global fight over steel on Thursday, announcing an investigation into whether cheap imports are a threat to national security.
At an Oval Office ceremony, surrounded by US steel executives, Trump signed an executive order calling for the commerce department to assess effects of steel imports on US defense at a time when he has ordered a military buildup.
“Steel is critical to both our economy and our military. This is not an area where we can afford to become dependent on foreign countries,” Trump said in what he dubbed a “historic day for American steel”.
The president said he had promised to take action on behalf of American workers, which was “one of the primary reasons I’m sitting here today as president”.
“Since the day I took office, I have followed through on that promise big league, beginning with our withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” He said he was proud of that withdrawal, which would have been “another Nafta disaster”.
The announcement is the most concrete move the administration has made on trade since Trump was elected after a campaign when he argued cheap imports were “killing” US manufacturers.
Speaking ahead of the signing Wilbur Ross, secretary of commerce, said a 19.6% increase in steel imports in the first quarter has had “a very serious impact on the domestic industry”.
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