INSIDE U.S. TRADE: As downstream metal coalition launches, analysts question Commerce claims

U.S. manufacturing groups on Wednesday launched a coalition of metal users representing more than 30,000 companies in opposition to the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel imports levied by the administration last month. The “Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users” -- composed of six manufacturing associations -- teamed up with the American Institute for International Steel on Wednesday to question the Commerce Department’s determination, made in both Section 232 reports released on Feb. 16, that trade restrictions were needed to “enable U.S. steel producers to operate at an 80 percent or better average capacity utilization rate based on available capacity in 2017.”…