This statement was released today by United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard:

“President Obama and Ambassador Kirk are to be applauded for calling China on the carpet for its illegal export restraints on rare earth minerals and other products. Today’s effort initiates action on a formal trade complaint filed by the USW. The members of the USW have worked closely with the Administration to address China’s wide ranging export restraints on various raw materials and its blatant disregard of that country’s World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations.

“Chinese export restraints have a devastating impact on production and jobs here in the United States by limiting or raising the cost of these materials to our companies which use them to make products ranging from lighting to auto parts to wind energy production equipment to military goods and countless other products. Many firms faced with restricted access to these key raw materials have either begun to contract with producers in China or have moved their own operations there ... more