China's Predatory, Protectionist Practice the Target

Please note the links to supportive material at end

Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), issued this statement today:

We're here today to issue a call to action to support and defend America's auto parts sector from China's predatory, protectionist and illegal trade practices.   This is a fight for good, family-supportive jobs and the economic vitality of communities all across this country.   It's time to stand up to China and say: enough is enough.  You've taken enough of our jobs.

The Obama Administration's leadership in combining government assistance to General Motors (GM) and Chrysler and policies like 'Cash for Clunkers' helped the auto assembly sector weather the economic crisis.   Government action, coupled with the ingenuity, dedication and hard efforts of the workers has helped stabilize and revitalize this important sector of our economy.

Unfortunately, the success of America's auto assemblers has not translated into the same level of success for the hundreds of thousands of workers directly employed making the parts and components for those companies.   As the assembly side of the industry has started to return to prosperity, employment in the parts sector has not fared as well and imports of parts - too many of them unfairly traded -- has grown exponentially ... more