Contact: Holly Hart (202) 778-438
(Pittsburgh) -- United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard released the following statement hailing the United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiation of action to force China to abide by its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments regarding export limits on certain commodities.
“The USTR’s enforcement action is focused on getting China to abide by its WTO commitments. This is the third case that targets China’s export policies that increase the cost of a broad array of commodities to users in world markets, while providing preferential prices at home. China has twice been found to have violated its commitments in this area for other products, but has refused to address the other products covered by the same illegal practices. That is why this case was needed.
“In the case of rare earths, China’s predatory practices of restricting access to these vital products to users around the globe and providing incentives for companies needing these products to manufacture in China, were well-documented. That same impact is felt by varying degrees by users and workers in many of the consumer sectors affected by commodities covered by the USTR’s most recent case. For many products, the effect of China’s policies has corroded America’s manufacturing base along with production in other countries.
“China continues to show a blatant disregard for its previous commitments. The results are tangible and workers across this country are sick and tired of China’s protectionist and predatory practices. These cases are tough to bring, but they are sorely needed. USTR’s continuing diligence on enforcement issues is making a difference in the lives of workers. Still, getting China to play by the rules is a never-ending task.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.