State Rep. Burns urges Biden to extend tariffs on foreign steel

Pennsylvania State Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) is urging President Joe Biden to extend tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum imposed by former President Donald Trump in 2018.

In a written request to Biden, Burns outlined the importance of maintaining the tariffs, stressing the chance for bipartisan cooperation early in his tenure.

“Western Pennsylvania families have been hurting for decades as good-paying steel and manufacturing jobs disappeared or were shipped overseas as a result of unfair and, in many cases, government-subsidized, competition,” Burns said in his request to Biden. “I supported these tariffs under President Trump – and I will continue supporting them with equal vigor under the Biden administration.”

The tariffs are backed by the United Steel Workers and the domestic steel industry. Burns authored a three-bill “American Made Jobs Plan” that would require the use of U.S.-made steel in all underground pipeline projects. It would also require the use of American-made products in any construction project that receives taxpayer funding, among other measures.

Burns told Biden that this is a critical issue that should transcend divisive party politics that often result in gridlock. It generates good-paying jobs and is a critical industry for national security.

“We must set political affiliation aside and come together on issues that affect us as Americans,” Burns wrote.