ARLINGTON, Va. — Consumer Brands issued the following statement from President and CEO Melissa Hockstad in response to U.S. Steel’s plan to restart the Gary Tin Mill facility:

“Consumer Brands commends U.S. Steel for promising to restart the Gary Tin Mill facility and revitalize production of U.S. tin mill steel. America’s food, beverage, household and personal care manufacturers already source the vast majority of inputs and ingredients from U.S. farms and want to buy cans made in America from American steel.

“With the U.S. tin mill steel industry currently able to supply approximately 20 percent of total market demand for can making, our hope is that this restart signals a willingness to produce tin mill steel that meets required specifications. A long term solution to address tin mill steel will require both significant investment from U.S. Steel as well as allowances for imports from the EU, UK and Canada that make up the remainder of total can making demand.

“While continuing to work with the U.S. steel industry and CPG manufacturers, we encourage the Trump administration to ensure its America First trade policies protect and grow domestic capacity while accommodating the right level of duty adjusted imports to maintain grocery affordability and availability. This balanced approach will accelerate the revival of U.S. tin mill steel while keeping significant cost increases and on shelf shortages at bay.”

###

ABOUT THE CONSUMER BRANDS ASSOCIATION

The Consumer Brands Association champions the industry that makes the products you choose and the brands you trust. From household and personal care to food and beverage products, the consumer packaged goods industry plays a vital role in powering the U.S. economy, contributing $2.5 trillion to U.S. GDP and supporting 22.3 million American jobs.