WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) authored a letter to President Trump outlining potential negative impacts on the LNG industry from a proposed tariff on imported steel and aluminum.
The letter notes the $120 billion in private investment projects that have already begun or planned construction in Southwest Louisiana, saying that a new tariff on steel would alter project costs and endanger new project development.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
“I agree with President Trump that we should promote trade policies that place Americans first. However, we must also consider the American industries that rely upon imported steel. We have major industrial growth in South Louisiana from the LNG industry that requires specialty steels, which aren’t available domestically. They have no option but to import those materials in order to complete project construction. A new tariff, or tax, on imported steel would increase the costs of production and alter the economic benefit model for every one of the ongoing and announced projects in our state. I am hopeful the President will take the economic impact of this industry into account as he considers changes in trade policy.”
