A bipartisan, bicameral bill unveiled by U.S. Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) aims to spur increased domestic production of ferrosilicon, which is used as a so-called master alloy in steel production.
Rep. Miller on Sept. 27 sponsored the Increasing American Ferrosilicon Production Act, H.R. 5766, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL). U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) on the same day offered the identical bill, S. 2937, in their chamber.
“The Increasing American Ferrosilicon Production Act will create more jobs, improve U.S. national security, and grow the American economy,” Rep. Miller said.
Currently, the U.S. imports Si 75% ferrosilicon — an alloy of silicon and iron widely used in steelmaking — from Russia, which is ferrosilicon containing 75 percent silicon A 45% tariff has been placed on all other forms of ferrosilicon from Russia, but not on Si 75% ferrosilicon, in turn allowing Russian imports to dominate the U.S. market, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Miller’s staff.
If enacted, the bill would impose a tariff on Si 75 percent ferrosilicon, which is also the last remaining Russian ferrosilicon product that is imported into the United States duty-free, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Russia has initiated a war on the free world. The United States should be doing everything to stifle their economic growth, not fuel it,” said Rep. Miller. “By implementing a large tariff on Russian-made ferrosilicon, we are enabling ferrosilicon production in places like West Virginia and Alabama to flourish.”
The congresswoman added that preventing Russia’s access to American markets also “will decrease our reliance on Russia and increase our exports, while making the United States more competitive globally.”
Specifically, the bill would establish a process for Russian and Belarussian ferrosilicon products imported to the U.S. to receive consideration for a tariff equal to that of other tariffs on similar products, which currently stand at 45 percent, the summary says.
“We know that when producers and workers in Alabama’s Black Belt are given a level playing field, they can compete and win,” said Rep. Sewell. “That’s why this legislation is so critical. The Increasing American Ferrosilicon Production Act will bring more jobs and opportunities to the people of the Black Belt and strengthen our economy. I urge my colleagues to give it their support.”
Ferroglobe PLC supports the bill.