WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Barack Obama signed into law trade legislation that includes the Leveling the Playing Field Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in March and cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) that will give U.S. companies – like the steel industry – new tools to fight against unfair trade practices.

“Strong trade enforcement is key to giving American industries the ability to compete,” said Brown. “As this bill becomes law, we are one step closer to making sure our workers have a level playing field. This law will allow workers and companies to challenge the unfair practices that have stacked the deck against them for too long.”

“We must crack down on countries that break the rules, so our workers can get a fair shake in the global market,” Portman stated. “These measures ensure that Ohio workers can remain globally competitive by holding foreign countries accountable when they skirt the rules by illegally underselling or subsidizing imports. I’m pleased these provisions to help Ohio steelworkers are now law.”

The Leveling the Playing Field Act, introduced in March, will restore strength to antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) statutes that allow businesses and workers in the United States to petition the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission (ITC) when foreign producers sell goods in the U.S. below market price or receive illegal subsidies. In May, the Senate passed the Leveling the Playing Field Act in its legislation to reauthorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The House also passed the bill in its customs bill.

This will benefit Ohio’s steel companies including: Picoma Industries in Cambridge, Sharon Tube in Niles, Wheatland Tube in Warren, Vallourec Star in Youngstown, and AK Steel.

 

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