- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Lex Central president issues statement regarding steel tariffs
- August 2, 2018
- News Release
- Shop Management
The Lex Group, Chicago, has released the following statement by Lex Central President Bill Douglass regarding the ongoing debate on steel tariffs and Section 232:
“Tariffs are generally not a preferred solution so long as the marketplace supports a fair and reasonable price that allows the producer a fair profit. The long-term key to sustainability in the steel market is fair trade and domestic policies that promote manufacturing.
“Since my family began running The Lex Group 27 years ago, we have seen tariffs and quotas numerous times, China and other countries have dumped steel into the United States, the steel industry economically collapsed twice, and our manufacturing customers have been decimated as well. The only difference is that the price of steel had very little to do with it. Manufacturing has declined when steel prices were low, and it has declined when prices were high.
“The bottom line is that the steel and manufacturing industries need world markets that are open to all American products. Right now, the trade balance is unfair, and if we don’t take a stand against foreign trade barriers, the price of steel will be irrelevant because there won’t be any American manufacturers left to buy it. While we don’t expect everything to be perfectly in balance, we much prefer hearing customers talk about issues like overtime and hiring more people. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to hear that perspective.
“When balance returns, responsible pricing will return, and tariffs will no longer be needed. In the meantime, the tariffs are the only vehicle available to achieve the desired end result.”
subscribe now
The Fabricator is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The Fabricator has served the industry since 1970.
start your free subscription- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 05/07/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:38
Patrick Brunken, VP of Addison Machine Engineering, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the tube and pipe...
- Trending Articles
White House considers China tariff increases on materials
A deep dive into a bleeding-edge automation strategy in metal fabrication
Majestic Steel Arkansas fully operational
A visit to Automate 2024 reveals the future might be now
Rivian to expand Illinois facility to manufacture midsized SUV
- Industry Events
Laser Welding Certificate Course
- May 7 - August 6, 2024
- Farmington Hills, IL
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY
Advanced Laser Application Workshop
- June 25 - 27, 2024
- Novi, MI
Precision Press Brake Certificate Course
- July 31 - August 1, 2024
- Elgin,