Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) and ten members of Congress are testifying today before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Other USW officers involved with the domestic tire industry also are appearing in a major trade case that seeks to stem the flood of imported consumer tires from China. 

Click here for a statement from Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, one of many lawmakers supporting the USW's case.

According to the USW petition filed Apr. 20, a surge of 46 million passenger and light truck tire imports from China was worth $1.7 billion in 2008.  More than 5,100 domestic workers have been eliminated at four tire plants closed in the U.S. since 2004, and more than 3,000 more jobs slated to be lost by year’s end as three more plants close or stop production of passenger and light truck tires.

The case was filed by the union under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974. Documents show imports of passenger tires from China increased from 2004 to 2008 by 215 percent in volume and 295 percent by value. The USW said it seeks to combat the egregious import surge by requesting the government impose a quota on China of 21 million consumer tires ... more