U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Wednesday met with President Trump at the White House along with a group of House and Senate colleagues to discuss trade issues, including actions the administration is considering in response to investigations into the domestic supply of steel and aluminum.
“Businesses and workers in my district and across the country are already seeing tremendous benefits from the tax cuts and regulatory reforms Congress and President Trump have enacted,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Finding a careful and balanced solution to Chinese overcapacity is critical to further strengthening our economy and supporting American manufacturing jobs. I’m grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to share input from the hardworking Hoosiers I represent, and I look forward to working together toward commonsense solutions that benefit American workers, consumers, and businesses.”
BACKGROUND
Walorski conveyed to President Trump the significant impact overly-broad tariffs or quotas on aluminum and steel imports could have on manufacturing jobs. Video of Walorski’s discussion with the president is available here.
Recreation vehicle, boat, and trailer manufacturers are major employers in Indiana’s 2nd District, with 15,000 direct jobs from the RV industry alone. Local manufacturers have raised concerns that tariffs or quotas would drive costs up, derailing the recovery the industry has seen since the height of the recession.
The president is currently evaluating the results of investigations into whether unfair trade practices harm national security by limiting the availability of U.S.-produced aluminum and steel for military equipment, including aircraft, ships, and armored vehicles.
In April 2017, Walorski joined President Trump in the Oval Office for the signing of a presidential memorandum directing the Department of Commerce to use its Section 232 authority to investigate the impact of aluminum imports on national security. At the time, Walorski called for “a careful and balanced investigation [that maintains] military readiness while ensuring Hoosier manufacturers continue to have a reliable supply of aluminum at fair market prices.”
In June 2017, at a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee, Walorski urged U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to ensure the investigations and any resulting actions take into consideration the potential impact tariffs and quotas could have on American manufacturers, including those in northern Indiana.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
