US steel industry executives called on Trump immediately to implement import controls to protect the domestic steel industry.
NamikEkinci, chairman of the Turkish Iron and Steel Exporters Association, said that the import controls were a fatal blow to Turkish steel exports. 2016 Turkey exported steel to US for 2.3 million tons totally, which worth 1.1 billion US dollars. "If import controls were really to be implemented, Turkey's all steel products exports to the United States are likely to be threatened." Turkey exported steel for 16.5 million tons totally in 2016, of which 14% exported to the United States.
Trump said in July that the final decision on trade in steel should be made after the settlement of other important matters. But US’s attitude of protecting the domestic steel industry caused the Turkish concern and has affected Turkey’s steel exports in recent months.
After the anti-dumping and anti-countervailing investigation of Turkish rebar, the US Department of Commerce has imposed temporary tariffs on some Turkish steel companies.
Ekinci said that despite the pressure, in January-July 2017, Turkey's steel exports are still up 15% to 10.9 million tons year on year.