Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and a bipartisan coalition of 10 other Senators today called on President Obama to follow the recommendation of the International Trade Commission (ITC) and provide relief to domestic tire industry workers who have been harmed by a surge of Chinese imports.
In a letter to the President, the Senators said that adopting the ITC’s recommendation would remedy the market disruption caused by imports of Chinese tires and “save thousands of U.S. manufacturing jobs” as well as “halt the further decline of the U.S. tire industry.” They also said that providing relief “would send a powerful message to the American people that you intend to keep your promise to enforce trade laws fully.”
The Senators noted that from 2004 through 2008, “Chinese tire imports drastically reduced U.S. producer market share by a surging 215 percent in volume and a staggering 295 percent in value. The ITC record demonstrates that the increased imports paralleled the collapse of domestic production, shipments, capacity and employment. More than 5,100 workers have lost their jobs during this period, with four facilities closed, capacity and hours reduced in others, and more facilities slated for closure in 2009. The results have been extremely painful and caused harm to families and entire communities in our states and across the country.”
On April 20, the United Steelworkers (USW) submitted a petition to the ITC under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974 seeking relief from a surge in Chinese imports. The Section 421 trade safeguard became law in 2000 as a condition for China’s entry into the World Trade Organization. Under this safeguard mechanism, companies or workers injured by import surges from China can petition for temporary relief in the form of reduced imports.
On June 18, the ITC affirmed the USW petition and ruled that the U.S. tire industry has been adversely affected by Chinese imports. Following a June 29 vote for a strong tariff remedy, the ITC presented its report and recommendation to President Obama on July 9. The President’s decision for a remedy is due in mid-September.
In addition to Lincoln, signatories of the letter to the President included Senators Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), and Richard Burr (R-N.C.).
The text of the letter to President Obama is below.