Coordinated approach builds on U.S. steel tariffs.
For Immediate Release: Sept. 30, 2026
Washington, D.C. — The Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) agreed on Sept. 30 to combat rampant steel overcapacity in the world market with joint action that encourages its 28 member nations to apply tariffs and other trade enforcement measures. The GFSEC ministerial meeting that preceded the announcement was chaired by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“The Alliance for American Manufacturing welcomes today’s agreement and the recognition that global steel overcapacity remains a serious threat to manufacturers and workers,” Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) President Scott Paul said. “The framework is a positive step, but its success will depend on whether participating governments are willing to confront the subsidies, market distortions, and trade circumvention that continue to fuel excess capacity, particularly in China. The United States must continue to maintain strong trade enforcement tools, including Section 232 measures, while working with allies to address this challenge. Ambassador Greer deserves enormous credit for pulling this effort together.”
Global steel overcapacity is expected to rise from 601 million tons in 2024 to 745 million tons by 2028, the GFSEC estimates, while noting that most of this excess capacity is located in China.
Section 232 tariffs, which went into effect in 2018, have safeguarded the U.S. steel industry from the worst of China’s steel overcapacity, but international action is essential as Chinese producers weaponize cross-border investments to evade tariffs.
Paul is available for interviews.