USW: Chinese Attacks on Shipbuilding Industry Require Strong Remedies

Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 412-562-2444

(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement in response to a notice from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) inviting feedback on potential remedies regarding the People’s Republic of China’s illegal efforts to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors:

“The USW and our partners welcome the opportunity to submit comments on the USTR’s proposed relief measures as we seek to rebuild our domestic shipbuilding industry.

“Our union, alongside the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, last year identified an array of policies promoted by the Chinese Communist Party that have undermined U.S. maritime, logistics and shipbuilding capabilities, resulting in tens of thousands of lost jobs across our shipbuilding supply chains and destabilizing our economic and national security interests.  

“The USTR under the previous administration investigated and confirmed our allegations. Now the current USTR identified potential relief measures, which respond to China’s predatory policies and support the utilization of U.S. flagged and built vessels.

“Our union stands in support of efforts to hold China to account and reverse the decline in U.S. shipbuilding capabilities. As we submit comments on the proposed relief measures, we will continue to work with the administration and Congress to restore our nation’s maritime power and the good, community-sustaining jobs that underpin it.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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