AISI Recommends NAFTA Improvements

While the Trump administration has proposed a complete renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), which represents domestic steelmakers, has affirmed its support for the continuation of NAFTA, albeit with some improvements and modernization to the 23-year-old trade pact.

In a letter to the United States Trade Representative’s office, AISI President and CEO Thomas Gibson said the U.S. steel industry has benefited from NAFTA and offered five recommendations to consider in any renegotiations: strengthen rules of origin and enhance regional value content requirements; promote trade enforcement and coordination; establish enforceable currency disciplines; establish disciplines on the conduct of state-owned enterprises; and improve customs procedures and coordination and upgrade border infrastructure.