Trade Cases
Reaction to ITC Injury Determination on CORE Steels
Written by Sandy Williams
June 26, 2016
Leaders in the steel industry reacted favorably to Friday’s affirmative decision by the International Trade Commission (ITC)’s regarding injury to the industry resulting from the import of corrosion-resistant steel from China, India, Italy, Korea, and Taiwan.
Mario Longhi, President and CEO, US Steel Corp.:
“United States Steel Corporation is pleased with the International Trade Commission’s affirmative decision regarding corrosion-resistant steel imports. The domestic steel industry has suffered dramatically due to the increase in unfairly traded imports, but today’s decision is an encouraging step toward a level playing field.”
John Ferriola, Chairman, CEO and President, Nucor Corp.:
“These final determinations by the International Trade Commission confirm that the U.S. steel industry has suffered harmful effects from imports of dumped and subsidized corrosion-resistant steel. Today’s decision and the decision earlier this week in two of the cold-rolled steel cases are important steps in returning fair trade to the U.S. flat rolled steel market. Our government is sending a clear message that all countries must play by the rules of international trade and will be held accountable for failure to do so.”
Jim Baske, CEO, ArcelorMittal North America:
“ArcelorMittal applauds both the ITC and the U.S. Department of Commerce for their final determinations, which strengthens the positive trends we were seeing in import volume following the preliminary duties.”
Leo Gerard ,United Steelworkers International President:
“Today’s vote extends fairer pricing conditions to corrosion-resistant steel products. Combined with the ITC’s vote earlier this week that injury is also being inflicted on producers and workers making cold-rolled products, some much needed relief is in sight. Our efforts are helping as prices are beginning to stabilize, but we need to do more to restore the market and the jobs that have been lost.
“It’s been a long battle — this petition was filed at the beginning of last June — and we still face massive subsidies and the dumping of other products. Pipe and tube producers and workers are suffering. China’s overcapacity in steel, aluminum and many other products continues to damage world markets and undermine jobs and wages.
“While we will persist in fighting for every job, a comprehensive approach is what is really required. Winning a trade case means we have to ‘lose’ first. This means we have to experience injury in the form of lost jobs and shuttered facilities to qualify for relief. Unfortunately, many lives are shattered in the process. Enforcing the rules is largely left to the private sector companies and the union representing the workers experiencing injury. Too often these parties lack the resources necessary to pursue these kinds of trade cases. This, too, needs to change.”
Scott Paul, President, Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM):
“For years we’ve been saying it and Washington is finally listening: China doesn’t play fair when it comes to steel.
“This week is a win for America’s steelmakers. The ITC took two steps forward by enforcing our trade laws, and we commend the commission for addressing illegal steel imports.
“Amid the celebration, we also hope that policymakers will remember that the time to stop a flood is before you’re in over your head. While today’s decision provides relief, the damage has already been done. Until our manufacturers are given the ability to proactively defend themselves, they will be forced to wade in deep waters, with American workers’ livelihoods at risk.”
Sandy Williams
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