Kelly to U.S. Trade Ambassador Tai: Strong trade deals are critical to U.S. national security

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) called on U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai and the Biden administration to prioritize trade deals that strengthen U.S. national security and make America more competitive.

During the full Ways & Means Committee hearing, Kelly highlighted the significance of the nation's only grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) production facility, the Butler, Pennsylvania-based Cleveland Cliffs-Butler Works plant, which employees 1,400 workers. GOES is an essential component of power transformers that provide electricity to homes and businesses. Kelly noted that relying on foreign nations to produce GOES weakens U.S. national security because it makes the U.S. dependent for a key piece of its electric supply.

"We have lost so much market share in this country over the years because of foreign competition that refuses to play on a level playing field," Kelly said. "We watch not only the loss of product that we make, but there is a loss of jobs. The bigger issue is national security. This issue is really critical... We have a real clear and present danger, globally, because we have lost market share."

WATCH part of Rep. Kelly's hearing remarks here.

BACKGROUND
During Wednesday's hearing, Ambassador Tai presented the Biden administration's 2022 trade policy agenda. Rep. Kelly urged the Biden administration to enforce free trade agreements and hold trading partners accountable. Kelly referenced his previous requests of the Trump administration, dating back to 2017, to review trade policies surrounding GOES to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and national security measures.

On Wednesday, Kelly further urged the administration to protect and prioritize American jobs and to address China's predatory trade practices.