Steel Industry Icon to Deliver Keynote Address at METALCON 2018

Dan DiMicco, former CEO of Nucor Corporation and senior trade adviser to President Trump’s Campaign, will present “The Economic Plan for Growth and Global Competitiveness in the United States―Implications for Steel”in a keynote address at METALCON 2018 on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 11.00 a.m., in Charlotte, N.C.

DiMicco will provide an overview of the 30-year trade war, review section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962, examine the impact of tariffs on the metal construction industry and explain why Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs make sense.  He will also discuss the long-term sustainability of the steel industry.   Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in this informative Q & A session.

For former steel executive DiMicco, there’s no risk of the President’s tariffs sparking a trade war.  “We’ve already been in one for years,” said DiMicco.  “The only difference now is that we’re deciding to fight back.”

Trump’s proposal to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent tariff on imports of aluminum has been met with opposition, but DiMicco is among those who think they’re putting the United States back on track.

DiMicco spent most of his career in steel and manufacturing.  He served as a senior trade and economic adviser to President Trump’s campaign and was the lead on the U.S. trade representative transition team.  He joined Nucor in 1982 and worked his way up to president and CEO in 2000.  Under his leadership, Nucor delivered dramatic growth in profits and shareholder returns. Today, Nucor is the United States’ largest producer of steel and also considered North America’s largest recycler.

Additionally, DiMicco proved himself an effective champion for domestic manufacturing and rules-based, rules-enforced free trade.  He has served on the board of the U.S. Manufacturing Council, the National Association of Manufacturers and the World Steel Association. Currently, DiMicco serves on the board for Duke Energy Corporation and continues to represent Nucor as chairman emeritus.

“Dan not only revived a major U.S. manufacturing firm during a recession, but helped galvanize the flagging domestic steel industry when many of his competitors were in bankruptcy or headed overseas,” said METALCON Show Director, Claire Kilcoyne.

DiMicco, author of American Made: Why Making Things Will Return Us to Greatness will be available for a book signing following his keynote address.  In his book,he tackles the false promise of green jobs and the hidden costs of outsourcing.  He shares lessons learned about good leadership, crisis management, the true meaning of innovation, and he paves a path forward to robust economic growth, middle-class prosperity and American competitiveness. 

“Given the controversy over this hot topic right now, Dan’s extensive knowledge and expertise in this area couldn’t come at a better time,” said Kilcoyne.  “We look forward to hearing his take on how tariffs are impacting the metal construction industry and our overall economy.”

For more information, visit www.metalcon.com.