Trade Cases
Congressional Steel Caucus Introduces House Resolution
Written by Sandy Williams
September 10, 2016
The Congressional Steel Caucus introduced a House resolution last week that calls for the Administration to take action regarding non-market economy (NME) countries to protect U.S. manufacturing jobs and economic security.
Chairman Tim Murphy (R-Pa) and Vice-chairman Peter J. Visclosky (D-IN) introduced the bill, along with 23 bipartisan cosponsors, that addresses market-distorting policies and subsidization of key commodities by NME countries which prevent U.S. manufacturers from competing on a level playing field.As stated on Congressman Visclosky’s website, the House resolution calls for the “full and effective application of U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws against NME countries, such as China, and to retain the status of any country currently designated as a NME until it meets all of the criteria for treatment as a market economy established under current law.”
“The resolution also calls on NME countries to eliminate all direct and indirect subsidies and other market-distorting government policies benefitting the production and export of goods to the United States, and to enter into binding and enforceable agreements for removing excess production capacity and withdrawing state intervention in and control over their economies.”
The resolution is also supported by the Manufactures for Trade Enforcement Coalition, which includes the American Iron and Steel Institute and the Alliance for American Manufacturing.
“Hardworking American workers continue to pay the price for not taking action to hold China, and other foreign competitors, accountable for their clear abuse of U.S. trade laws. Millions of dollars go uncollected, thousands of jobs are lost, and American industries continue to suffer. This is unacceptable,” said Chairman Murphy. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues today to introduce this resolution. We need stronger deals that protect our economy and our workers.”
Vice-Chairman Visclosky stated, “American communities rely on the superb work of steelworkers and manufacturers to build the foundation of their economic security, and they deserve to compete in our global economy on a level playing field. It is past time that action is taken to stop the illegal trading practices of China and other non-market economy countries.”
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Trade Cases
Commerce launches probe into unfairly traded rebar imports
Here are the details and a case timeline for the rebar trade case recently initiated by the Commerce Department.
Leibowitz on Trade: Who is winning the tariff debate?
Most economists will tell you that universal tariffs will result in inflation and reduce demand, causing a recession or worse. (After all, this is what happened in the 1930s). It is a rare product that is so essential that demand will not go down if prices go up.
Canadian steel industry fears thousands of job losses from US tariffs
The Canadian steel industry is bracing for thousands of job losses because of US tariffs, the Canadian Steel Producers Association says.
US, Mexico mull tariff-rate quota system: Report
Could the US and Mexico end up with a tariff-rate quota system?
OCTG industry salutes Customs for catching trade crooks
The US OCTG Manufacturers Association is commending US Customs for intercepting another Thai company's attempt to illegally transship Chinese oil pipe to the US.