WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded an announcement by the Commerce Department (DOC) that it would investigate unfairly subsidized and dumped Chinese tire products in the U.S. market. The announcement follows a petition by the United Steelworkers (USW) asking that antidumping duties (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) be levied against passenger vehicle and light truck (PVLT) tires from China. In recent years, Chinese tire imports have doubled, threatening American industry jobs and competitiveness.

“American manufacturers are the most competitive in the world when given a fair and equal playing field,” Brown said. “But when countries like China unfairly subsidize their tire industry, and dump their products in the U.S. market, it threatens American jobs and our workers’ ability to compete. I applaud the Commerce Department’s decision to investigate these allegations. And I urge Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to fully address any harm caused to American businesses and workers.” 

Following efforts by Brown, the Administration imposed tariffs on Chinese PVLT between 2009 and 2011. This action was in response to a surge in Chinese PVLT imports to the U.S. market. But these tariffs expired in September 2012, and U.S. jobs are again at risk. While Chinese tire imports now account for 18 percent of the U.S. market—more than double their share in 2011, the domestic industry’s share dropped to 40 percent. Further, the price of Chinese PVLT tires are undercutting American-made tires by margins of 12 to 40 percent. To prevent further harm to American manufacturers, Brown called on the Administration to again take action to ensure American workers and businesses have a level playing field on which to compete.

Described as “Congress’ leading proponent of American Manufacturing,” Brown is a member of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus, currently Vice-Chair of the Senate Auto Caucus, and was recently named incoming Chair of the Senate Steel Caucus. In April, bipartisan manufacturing jobs legislation introduced by Brown and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) moved one step closer to becoming law. Brown-Blunt would establish a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) and create thousands of high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs while enhancing the United States’ role as the world’s leader in advanced manufacturing. 

 

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