wiredInUSA June 2019

Mid Continent Steel and Wire has been granted most of its requested exceptions to the 25 percent trade tariffs imposed on steel wire from Mexico. The Missouri-based nail manufacturer, owned by Mexico-based Deacero, is the largest nail maker in the US. Prior to the imposition of the tariffs by the US Department of Commerce (DoC) on 1 st June 2018 the company had 500 employees, but reduced the workforce to less than 300 when it lost 60 percent of its business. With the majority of the requested exemptions approved, the company is now recalling some 50 employees. Exemptions from section 232 tariffs are rarely approved. ”This is a great day for our workers, our customers, for southeast Missouri, and for US manufacturing,” said operations general manager Chris Pratt. While Mid Continent can increase nail production, the company notes that the relief is effective for only one year, so it will need to seek further exemptions. Chris Pratt said the company had cut about 60 temporary jobs and over 140 other workers left over concerns about job security and were not replaced.

Tariff successes

wiredInUSA - June 2019

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