Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/826899
28 • JUNE 2017 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Details of federal steel imports investigation to be program topic at CLFMI summer meeting On April 20 President Donald Trump announced that the Secretary of Commerce had self-initiated an investigation to determine the effects of imported steel on national security. The investigation was initiated under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The action was reported in the national media and was not- ed in the latest edition of the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute's LinkLetter newsletter. Under Section 232, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will have 270 days to determine whether steel is be- ing "imported into the United States in such quantities or under such cir- cumstances as to threaten to impair the national security" and make rec- ommendations to the President. Based on the Commerce Secre- tary's findings, the President then has 90 days to "adjust" steel imports "so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security," the LinkLetter reported. The outcome of the Section 232 steel investigation appears to be pre- determined, the newsletter comment- ed. At the White House announce- ment of the investigation President Trump railed against "unfair" steel imports and promised fast action. Notably, three of President Trump's senior trade advisors, Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce, Rob- ert Lighthizer, the nominee for U.S. Trade Representative, and Gil Kaplan, the nominee for Under Secretary for International Trade, Commerce De- partment, are strongly identified with U.S. steel producers. Although Section 232 has not been invoked by the President in re- cent years to restrict imports, this authority was used in the past by President Nixon in 1971 to impose a 10% surcharge on all imports and by Presidents Ford and Reagan to restrict petroleum imports. Updates on this issue and oth- er activities impacting the cost and availability of steel will be presented at CLFMI's 2017 summer meeting in Lake Tahoe July 12-14. WFN columnist Tom Luby publishes books on fence industry business practices Business consultant and regular World Fence News contributor Tom Luby (president of Profit Builders International) has available two books designed to help fence com- pany owners and managers improve their overall business and operating procedures and therefore improve their bottom line. The Close features fence indus- try specific sales, marketing and ad- vertising tools. Roadmap to Success is a busi- ness guide to managing a fence company, covering day-to-day man- agement problems, including: • Functional organization and building an efficient fence team; • Business development and building people management skills; Contact info: www.profitbuild- er.org; e-mail tluby@profitbuilder. org; office phone: 941-981-3677; cell: 941-807-7666. NMI Fence • NMI Fence • NMI Fence • NMI Fence