Trade – Make Your Voice Heard
As is generally acknowledged, Candidate Trump’s campaign was filled with suggestions regarding creating jobs and economic opportunity, including by making it easier for businesses to operate, such as renegotiating trade agreements, emphasizing domestic sourcing and protecting vulnerable industries. Although these orders have not, as yet, changed anything, they serve as an avenue for the President to fulfill his campaign promises, which is to better understand what holds back more robust economic growth so as to fix problems appropriately. This process also offers the opportunity for voices to be heard – a foundation of our democracy.
Currently ongoing are studies about regulatory barriers to business expansion, trade deficits and so-called “Buy American, Hire American” policies. In addition, within the last few weeks, the President has directed the Secretaries of Commerce and Defense to study the national security implications of steel and aluminum imports. Soon, we expect a process to begin reviewing the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). These are all areas that could impact business continuity for recyclers, and we encourage you to stand up for your interests, such as a phone call or letter to your Member of Congress or a formal submission to the Administration as part of these reviews.
ISRI will be submitting comments to the steel and aluminum studies, and we are anticipating getting involved on NAFTA. Our position is directed by our members, so we are eager to hear from you. If the Administration were to put in place import and/or export restrictions on primary steel and aluminum, how would this impact you and your company? And while we are waiting until there is more clarity on the direction of a NAFTA renegotiation, we know that a wholesale renegotiation of the agreement also may not be an ideal arrangement for recycling supply chains.
Therefore, do not just make your voice heard with lawmakers – keep ReMA staff informed, especially when any of the possible outcomes of these reviews could negatively impact your operations. Help shape our advocacy on these critical trade issues. An email or call can be directed to Senior Director for Government Relations & International Affairs Adina Renee Adler.