Upstate NY Could see impact from proposed tariffs on China [Video]

Crucible Industries is a Central New York-based steel company.

President John Shiesley said because the company makes highly specialized products, it competes directly with Chinese companies less than other upstate mills but the country is a concern nonetheless.

“China has become a very big producer of steel and their excess capacity has driven down a lot of the pricing in the marketplace,” Shiesley said.

In order to try to curb China from undercutting American companies, President Biden is asking his trade representative to seek to triple tariffs on steel and aluminum produced there. Under the proposal he announced Wednesday in Pittsburgh at the United Steelworkers union headquarters, the rate could go from 7.5% to 22.5%.

“I’m not look for a fight with China. I’m looking for competition and fair competition,” Biden said.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, supports higher tariffs in general and believes legacy manufacturing regions in Pennsylvania, Ohio and upstate New York will benefit.

“The …