DeSantis signs bill limiting Chinese-made steel in Florida, opting for American

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Wednesday limiting the use of Chinese-made steel in public works projects and prioritizing U.S-made material instead.

The bill requires that local governments who contract for a public works project may only use iron or steel products made in the United States.

The only exceptions to the rule apply if the iron or steel products required are not in strong enough supply in the United States, if the U.S. steel causes at least a 20% increase in the total cost of the project, or if using U.S. steel is inconsistent with the “public interest.”

SB 674 was sponsored by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and the House version was filed by Rep. Griff Griffitts, R-Panama City Beach.

“We found through our research and talking with the stakeholders, inferior products coming from other countries, China specifically, and it wasn’t up to the same standards as U.S. steel,” Boyd said in an interview on Florida’s Voice with Brendon Leslie.

Boyd emphasized how its a “big win” for U.S. workers and explained how the ALF-CIO “wholeheartedly” and “enthusiastically” supported the legislation.

Florida has made other efforts to combat Chinese economic power in the state, including banning mass-scale Chinese land ownership.

The legislation is set to go into effect on July 1.