Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • HUMANITARIAN
  • News
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
July 20, 2017 02:00 AM

USTMA: Steel tariffs could pose a risk to U.S. tire makers

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    USTMA photo
    Luke

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department's tentative plans to place tariffs on imported steel could "pose a risk" to U.S. tire manufacturers, the president and CEO of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) said in an opinion piece published July 17 on The Hill, a political website.

    At issue are cord-quality steel wire rod, tire cord and bead wire used in tire manufacturing, according to Anne Forristall Luke.

    "Virtually all steel used in U.S. tire manufacturing must be imported, as domestic steel suppliers cannot meet volume and quality needs for this critical tire safety component," Ms. Luke wrote in her op-ed article.

    "Thus any trade constraint could potentially have a cascading, negative impact on U.S. commerce nationwide, as the transportation industry depends on a reliable supply of tires to ship goods."

    Ms. Luke's opinion piece was an extension of the testimony Tracey L. Norberg, USTMA senior vice president and general counsel, delivered May 24 at a Commerce hearing on the national security implications of steel imports.

    Ms. Norberg essentially made all the major points Ms. Luke did, saying that safety concerns make steel wire rod imports necessary.

    "It is our understanding that electric arc furnace technology, used in domestic steel mills, is unable to produce consistently the quality of tire cord-quality wire rod necessary to make tire cord," she said.

    In her opinion piece, Ms. Luke claimed that steel used in tire manufacturing comprises less than 1 percent of total U.S. steel production, so an exemption for steel of that kind would not have a negative impact on U.S. steel producers.

    "However, while tires aren't a major factor in overall steel consumption, steel does play a vital role in the production of tires," she said.

    Increased tariffs on tire-grade steel would threaten national security, because the U.S. military depends on a reliable supply of high-performing tires, she said.

    According to Ms. Luke, the U.S. tire industry generates more than $148.4 billion in sales, operates 55 manufacturing facilities in 19 states and provides more than 737,000 jobs.

    Officials of the United Steelworkers union, which supports the proposed tariffs, did not answer request for comments about Ms. Luke's opinion piece.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Investment firm buys stake in Mavis Tire Express
    2
    Goodyear to use Le Mans race as technology testbed
    3
    USTMA urges Congress to act on 6 'priorities'
    4
    Mexico agrees to review labor issues at Goodyear plant
    5
    Pirelli defers new board nominations
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • News
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • BEST PLACES TO WORK
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION