NAFTA steel groups urge TPP negotiators to retain higher auto value content

OTTAWA, Sept. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Three trade associations representing steel producers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico today sent a joint letter to their respective government trade agencies expressing concern that recent developments in the automotive portion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations include proposals to weaken the "rules of origin" for the auto sector, which would adversely impact the steel industry. The letter can be found here.

The leaders of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), CANACERO (Mexico), and the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), today sent a letter to Ed Fast, Canadian Minister of International Trade of Canada; Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, Secretary of Economy of Mexico; and, Mike Froman, United States Trade Representative for the U.S., urging "a TPP that will strengthen the competitiveness of North American steel producers by enabling continued growth for motor vehicle component and finished vehicle manufacturers."

The groups wrote that, based on reports, proposed changes would lower regional value content (RVC) for auto parts and light-duty vehicles – currently set by NAFTA at 62.5% for autos, light-trucks, engines and transmissions, and 60% for other auto parts.

"Our members strongly oppose lowering such regional value content requirement," the letter stated. "The TPP must not confer an advantage to producers whose primary supply chain is located outside the TPP region"

Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of AISI, said, "The auto supply chain is inextricably linked to the health of our countries' respective steel industries and the prosperity of the North American auto and auto parts industries. The standards must not be reduced."

Joseph Galimberti, President of the CSPA, said, "We are very much opposed to any measures in the TPP agreement which would undermine the long-term global competitiveness of Canadian steel-makers, and their customers."

Salvador Quesada Salinas, Director General of Canacero, said, "Canacero is very concerned about the possible impact of relaxing in TPP the NAFTA regional value content for auto parts and light duty vehicles. This will imply lower employment generation."

Sources: American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), CANACERO (Mexico), and the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA)

SOURCE Canadian Steel Producers Association

AISI, Lisa Harrison, 202.452.7115/[email protected]; CSPA, Joseph Galimberti, 613.238.6049/[email protected]; CANACERO, Salvador Quesada, 52 (55) 5448-8162/[email protected]