Falls Church, VA. - AIIS President Richard Chriss said his association is “concerned about the nature and scope of this investigation,” which, he said, should not be used as a basis to shield domestic manufacturers from fair price competition. “At the very least, we hope that the Secretary will consider the national security and economic implications of protectionist policies that would limit the availability of steel and drive up its price,” Chriss said. “In addition, we should remember that it is quite likely that any trade restrictions imposed by the United States will invite retaliatory measures by other nations against exports from the United States, both steel related and non-steel related, which could have serious economic and security consequences of their own.” "We can and should address the global excess steel capacity problem without resorting to protectionist measures of our own," Chriss added. “Free trade in steel means that Americans pay global market prices,” Chriss said. “While this competition may indeed reduce the profits of domestic manufacturers, other steel-related businesses and consumers benefit from not having to pay the artificially high prices that would result from measures that restrict trade." Despite these concerns, Chriss said that AIIS will seek to work with investigators “to provide objective data and information that will counter the misperceptions about steel imports on which this investigation appears to be based.” “An unbiased examination will show that imported steel strengthens the nation’s economy and security,” Chriss said. “AIIS stands ready to work with the Secretary and his staff on this critical issue.”