Speaking to Margaret Spiegelman of Inside U.S. Trade, SMA President Philip K. Bell thanked the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, the Commerce Department and other federal agencies for keeping the American steel industry informed about the progress of trade talks with Europe “on a consistent basis” and said he hopes negotiators “remain ambitious.”

The interview took place as the United States, the European Union and the European Commission prepared for a summit in Washington Friday where the ongoing negotiations on a so-called global arrangement on steel and aluminum will likely be a priority for all parties.

Bell also acknowledged that “these are tough negotiations.” Excess steel capacity in nonmarket economies and decarbonization have been the focus of the negotitations.

Read the article in Inside U.S. Trade.