The Pennsylvania State legislators requested the US Department of Commerce (USDOC) to rule the application of NLMK USA's 232 steel-aluminum tariff exemption for the semi-finished steel products.

In the year waiting for the ruling of the USDOC, the tariffs caused the US branch to suffer losses of more than US$160 million. The Russian company NLMK is trying to supply the Trump administration of the Pennsylvania and Indiana re-rolling mills to obtain 25% steel tariff exemption.

In the absence of exemption, the investment in the US has been suspended, and the investment plan for the US has been suspended. Once the exemption application was approved, the company will receive a refund of the customs duty paid so far.