Surging Imports of Rebar Nearly Doubled 2011-13 to Threaten Jobs
Contact: Gary Hubbard, 202-256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org
Pittsburgh (Apr. 23, 2014) – The United Steelworkers (USW) today affirmed the preliminary determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) on rebar steel imports from Mexico and Turkey are unfairly being dumped into the U.S. market, threatening the jobs of American workers.
USW President Leo W. Gerard said, “We are satisfied the level of duties on Mexican producers will level the playing field to stop more job losses in domestic rebar, but we are disappointed with the government’s findings on Turkish producers and are expectant that further verifications will show the proposed duties need to be increased.”
The Commerce Dept. announced companies in Mexico and Turkey will be subject to immediate duties on steel rebar requiring a cash bond or deposit posted in the amount of the newly-imposed duties. The duties will range from 10 percent to 66 percent for Mexican companies. For Turkish companies the duties will be 2.6 percent.
This follows a disappointing preliminary finding by the US Department of Commerce on government subsidies provided to rebar producers in Turkey.
U.S. petitioner companies include Gerdau Ameristeel of Tampa, FL, Cascade Steel Rolling Mills of McMinnville, OR, and Commercial Metals of Irving, TX. Commerce is scheduled to announce its final determinations in July.
According to congressional lawmakers, rebar is one of the largest volume steel products produced in the U.S., employing more than 10,000 workers in over 30 states. Rebar imports from Turkey and Mexico have been surging into the U.S., nearly doubling from 2011 to 2013.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.
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