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Trump’s Proposed Tariffs On Aluminum, Steel Imports Bring Controversy

Tariffs on aluminum and steel imports were proposed last week by President Donald Trump, and, if implemented, are set to kick in later this week.


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If the tariffs go into effect, the price of imported aluminum is expected to rise by 10 percent and imported steel prices are expected to rise by 25 percent.

These tariffs may not be supported by all of the country, but at least one Santa Clarita business owner thinks the higher prices could help domestic production.

“We are not going to be affected by these tariffs, because we only use domestic materials on what we build,” said Bodo Meschkat, owner of Meschkat Precision Machining INC. “So it doesn’t hurt us, we don’t buy cheap imported steel or aluminum to build bicycle parts. We only use American-made steel and aluminum for our products. I feel American-made metals are a lot better than what we are importing.”

Meschkat has noticed a number of mills closing down in America and wants to see that reversed.   

“Mills all over the country are shutting down and I don’t like that at all,” he said. “I support what Trump is doing and am hoping this will bring more mills back to life here.”  

However, the president has received backlash regarding the tariffs, even from his own party.  

Republicans in the Senate described Trump’s tariffs as “premature” and suggested the Senate Finance Committee hold hearings on the issue.

“I think everyone is understandably concerned about what is going to happen next,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said. “I guess the president is going to have to actually order the tariffs. I don’t know how much it’s going to be or how much impact that is going to have.”

Conservative manufacturing groups are also wary of the change.

“The idea of imposing steel or aluminum tariffs of any kind is an affront to economic freedom,” said David McIntosh, president of Club for Growth, an economic advocacy group. “First and foremost, it’s bad for the American worker. For every steel worker job that might be saved because of a tariff, our country will lose even more American jobs in auto plants, construction and so many other industries.”

Ed. Note: CNN contributed to this story. KHTS is an affiliate of CNN.  

Did you spot a correction? Let us know by emailing Corrections@hometownstation.com

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Trump’s Proposed Tariffs On Aluminum, Steel Imports Bring Controversy

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About Louie Diaz

Louie was born and raised in Santa Clarita. At the age of two Louie lost his vision due to a brain tumor. However, Louie doesn't let blindness stop him from doing what ever it is he wants to accomplish. Growing up some of his favorite hobbies were wood working, fishing and riding bikes. Louie graduated from College of the Canyon in December of 2017, with a Broadcast Journalism degree. Growing up Louie has always wanted to be a fire fighter or a police officer, but because of his blindness Louie knew that wouldn't work. Louie has always loved listening to police and fire radio traffic, using a scanner, and he figured if he was going to listen to the scanner so much, he should do something with it.