Trade Cases

Congressional Steel Caucus Introduces House Resolution

September 10, 2016

The Congressional Steel Caucus introduced a House resolution last week that calls for the Administration to take action regarding non-market economy (NME) countries to protect U.S. manufacturing jobs and economic security.

Chairman Tim Murphy (R-Pa) and Vice-chairman Peter J. Visclosky (D-IN) introduced the bill, along with 23 bipartisan cosponsors, that addresses market-distorting policies and subsidization of key commodities by NME countries which prevent U.S. manufacturers from competing on a level playing field.As stated on Congressman Visclosky’s website, the House resolution calls for the “full and effective application of U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws against NME countries, such as China, and to retain the status of any country currently designated as a NME until it meets all of the criteria for treatment as a market economy established under current law.”

“The resolution also calls on NME countries to eliminate all direct and indirect subsidies and other market-distorting government policies benefitting the production and export of goods to the United States, and to enter into binding and enforceable agreements for removing excess production capacity and withdrawing state intervention in and control over their economies.”

The resolution is also supported by the Manufactures for Trade Enforcement Coalition, which includes the American Iron and Steel Institute and the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

“Hardworking American workers continue to pay the price for not taking action to hold China, and other foreign competitors, accountable for their clear abuse of U.S. trade laws. Millions of dollars go uncollected, thousands of jobs are lost, and American industries continue to suffer. This is unacceptable,” said Chairman Murphy. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues today to introduce this resolution. We need stronger deals that protect our economy and our workers.”

Vice-Chairman Visclosky stated, “American communities rely on the superb work of steelworkers and manufacturers to build the foundation of their economic security, and they deserve to compete in our global economy on a level playing field. It is past time that action is taken to stop the illegal trading practices of China and other non-market economy countries.”