Senators trying to convince Trump not to allow India-imported steel in Keystone pipeline

Nine senators fro the Democratic Party of the United States have urged POTUS Trump to ban a Canadian company TransCanada from using steel imported from foreign countries, particularly from India and Italy, in building the trans-national multibillion controversial Keystone oil pipeline.

"Your memorandum explicitly covers new and expanded pipeline projects so we were confused and disappointed to learn that the Keystone XL pipeline would not be required to use 100 per cent American-made steel," said a letter written jointly by the nine Democratic Senators.

"Further, we are deeply concerned that by allowing this Canadian firm to use foreign steel from countries like India and Italy, which have a history of dumping steel products in the US market at unfair, illegal prices, you are establishing a precedent that will have the effect of costing US jobs and undermining the spirit of your Presidential Memorandum," it said.

Led by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Tammy Duckworth, the Democratic lawmakers have tried to convince Trump to protect American jobs by ensuring that all new pipelines that get approved are constructed and maintained with products and equipments made in America itself.

The group of senators also includes Cory A. Booker, Thomas R. Carper, Al Franken, Christopher S. Murphy, Debbie Stabenow, Joe Donnelly Claire McCaskill, Robert Menendez, and Gary C. Peters.

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"We request that you reconsider your decision to allow a foreign company to use foreign steel in the Keystone XL pipeline and urge you to secure a firm commitment to source 100 per cent American-made steel for this project," the Senators added in the letter.

"Doing so would be a strong statement of support for American manufacturers and the hard working women and men who fuel our national economy," they said.

Keystone XL pipeline, worth $8 billion, would carry crude oil from Canada through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska, where it would meet the existing Keystone pipeline network, which would then take the oil to Texas Gulf Coast refineries.

The pipeline has attracted controversy as several environmental groups in the US have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, challenging its decision to approve its construction.

As per these groups, the 2014 report on the project's impact "downplays or ignores other significant environmental impacts of Keystone XL, including harms to land, air, water, and wildlife."

Former president Barack Obama had rejected the pipeline, giving the reason that it would increase the emission of greenhouse gases while doing nothing to reduce fuel prices for US motorists.

(Image source Washington Times)