AIA, Pentagon Reportedly Reach Agreement re: Berry Amendment on Strategic Metals

Titanium

In March 2006, DID called attention to a brewing battle over the 1973 Berry Amendment, which says among other things that all “specialty metals” used in US defense purchases must be refined in the USA. The aerospace industry, which uses specialty metals like titanium extensively, is facing off against the 3 major American titanium producers. Now the Aerospace Industry Association reports they have reached agreement in principle with senior leaders of the Defense Department on changes to the Berry Amendment.

Further details re: the exact changes agreed to in principle were not released. An indication of the AIA’s position, however, can be gleaned from the linked documents on its “Issues by Subject” page.