Consumer Action for a Strong Economy launched a new public education campaign – “Crush the Can Tax” – in opposition to a recent petition filed with the International Trade Commission by steel behemoth Cleveland-Cliffs and the United Steelworkers union. The petition seeks tariffs of up to 300% on tinplate steel imports from eight countries.

Tinplate steel is used to make cans for a wide range of consumer staples, from tuna to baby formula. Implementing the proposed tariffs would cause the price of canned goods to skyrocket even as inflation strains American families’ budgets.

According to the group, the financial harm caused by the tariffs will be particularly acute for lower-income households, who consume about one-third of canned food nationwide. A sudden surge in the price of canned goods made with tinplate steel could have a devastating impact on their finances.

CASE will run a suite of digital, print and billboard ads aimed at select members of Congress, the Department of Commerce and Cleveland-Cliffs to spotlight how Cleveland- Cliff’s petition will harm consumers.

“A new ‘can tax’ would force consumers to pay more for the items they buy every day, even as millions are still struggling to make ends meet,” said Gerard Scimeca, chairman of CASE. “Through this campaign we hope to protect consumers from artificially inflated prices at the grocery store. The Biden administration should reject this corporate handout — and instead advance policies that will lower prices for Americans.”