Nearly all taxpayer-funded construction projects must be built using U.S.-made steel and iron under a new law signed by Gov. Henry McMaster.
The law, pushed by South Carolina steel companies, passed through the General Assembly with almost no opposition. The House gave unanimous approval. Only two senators — one Republican and one Democrat — voted against the measure before the governor signed it June 30.
“We want to keep our steel industry strong,” said Sen. Larry Grooms, whose Berkeley County district is home to a Nucor steel mill.
South Carolina is where industry giant Nucor Corp. broke into steel in 1962, when it purchased Florence-based Vulcraft. Its first recycled steel mill, known in the industry as a mini mill, has been in operation in Darlington since 1969.
“We have a very healthy metal recycling industry in South Carolina, so we do make a lot of steel here,” said Grooms, R-Bonneau Beach.
While China is the world’s largest producer and exporter, it sends very little to the U.S. — less than 2% of total imports into the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data and the International Trade Administration.
President Donald Trump passed a 25% tariff on Chinese steel during his first term, pricing the country out of the market. He’s since upped that to 50%.
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