Carbondale Reporter

US Representative Mike Bost discussed the importance of American-made steel and the measures needed to counteract adversaries like China, who he claims "continue to dump steel into our country at far below market value." He made this statement in a July 11 Facebook post.

"American-made steel forms the backbone of our economy," said Bost, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "As a member of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I joined industry leaders this week to discuss efforts to stop unfair foreign trade practices. While we've made strides with Level the Playing Field Act 1.0 and the tariffs I fought for with President Trump in 2018, our work is far from over. Adversaries like China continue to dump steel into our country at below fair market value."

According to his Facebook post, Bost emphasized the necessity of passing two key pieces of legislation. "We must pass Level the Playing Field Act 2.0 and my legislation - the Fighting Trade Cheats Act – to strengthen this vital sector," he said.

Screenshot of US Rep. Mike Bost's July 11 Facebook post | Mike Bost Campaign Facebook page

The Fighting Trade Cheats Act, introduced in the US House of Representatives and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on April 18, 2023, aims to increase penalties and create enforcement mechanisms for fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of US customs laws. The bill sets the maximum civil penalty for a fraudulent violation at three times the domestic value of the merchandise and imposes a five-year ban on importing materials into the US. For grossly negligent violations, the maximum civil penalty is either three times the domestic value of the merchandise or ten times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees. Violators are also prohibited from importing materials into the US for two years, according to information available on Congress' website focused on the bill.

The other bill mentioned by Bost, known as H.R. 3882 or Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act, was introduced by Representative Terri A. Sewell on June 7, 2023, and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means that same day. This bill proposes changes to US antidumping and countervailing duty law to combat unfair trade practices. It establishes a process for successive antidumping and countervailing duty investigations that may be concurrent or completed. Additionally, it sets procedures for the Department of Commerce to conduct circumventive inquiries and allows Commerce to investigate currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy.

Mike Bost currently represents Illinois’ 12th District, a position he has held since January 6, 2015. He has over two decades of experience in the Illinois State House of Representatives where he served as House Republican Caucus Chair. A lifelong resident of Murphysboro, Bost served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1979-1982. He worked as a driver and truck manager for 24 years at Bost Trucking Service and joined the Murphysboro Fire Department after graduating from the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.