OPINION:
In a recent op-ed, “America must invest in resilient, enduring infrastructure” (Web, March 25), Laura O’Neill Kaumo and Sean O’Neill rightly argue that America’s future depends on investments in strong, lasting infrastructure.
They write also that world-class infrastructure should be constructed with high-quality, American-made building materials — especially cement.
Highways, homes, bridges, airports, factories, office buildings, data centers, transit hubs and more all require cement. Yet domestic cement production keeps declining because low-quality foreign cement continues to flood our domestic markets.
Relying on substandard imports not only hurts our domestic markets but also puts our supply chain at risk.
At a time when global trade faces immense strain, we cannot afford to offshore building materials at the expense of our domestic production.
To create first-rate infrastructure and safeguard our economic interests, we must boost production of U.S. cement by expanding “Build America, Buy America” requirements, fast-tracking permits for domestic production facilities and requiring construction material importers to improve quality assurance testing.
Let’s deliver for the American people and produce more cement right here at home.
STEVE CRIM
Annapolis, Maryland
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