Bacon warns potential import restrictions on tinplate steel could lead to higher food prices

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) led a Congressional letter to President Donald Trump recently that called for tinplate steel and aluminum that is used in food packaging to be excluded from potential import restrictions to prevent price hikes for consumer products.

Trump launched an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine if aluminum imports could pose a threat to or hamper national security. Bacon joined 22 members of Congress in calling for tinplate steel and aluminum to be excluded from the investigation and potential tariffs in a letter to the president.

“As the administration considers actions on imports, we encourage you to not let these vibrant domestic industries get unnecessarily caught in the crosshairs,” the letter said.

Bacon, a retired brigadier general who served nearly 30 years in the Air Force, said he share’s the president’s commitment to ensuring both America’s security and a level playing field for American manufacturing. “However, if the investigation does not exclude tinplate steel and aluminum, primary components used in the domestic manufacturing of food packaging, we are concerned it could negatively affect U.S. food processors and increase food prices for consumers,” he said.

Tinplate steel accounts for approximately 60 percent of the total cost of cans used for food packaging, so a tariff of just 5 percent would add 0.042 cents to the price of consumer products. “This cost would inevitably get passed on to consumers who, in many cases, are the most economically vulnerable and food insecure,” the letter stated.

Bacon noted that the domestic canned food supply chain and flexible packaging industry generates more than $100 billion in total economic activity in the United States and employs tens of thousands of American workers.

“This industry provides some of the safest, most affordable food available to consumers today. We will continue to keep pressing for what we believe is right for America and our constituents,” he said.