USW: USTR Plan on China’s Maritime Policies Helps Chart Course to Revitalize Domestic Shipbuilding

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

(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its final plan to address China’s unreasonable and discriminatory policies in the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors:  

“Almost exactly a year ago, the USW, 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, filed a Section 301 trade petition calling for an investigation of Chinese shipbuilding and encouraging our trade representative to counter China’s predatory and protectionist policies that have contributed to the decimation of U.S. shipbuilding capacity. 

“We noted that U.S. maritime power was dangerously diminished while the Chinese Communist Party enacted a plan to further dominate the software and physical logistics systems that control commerce. 

“All of this came at the expense of tens of thousands of workers across the shipbuilding supply chain.

“The USTR’s thorough investigation validated our charges, and today’s announcement lays out a series of strong steps to restore U.S. shipbuilding capacity. Coupled with a recent Executive Order on shipbuilding, the USTR’s measures expand the arsenal to combat China’s policies.

“It will clearly take a concerted effort and ongoing commitment to revitalize our capacity, strengthen our supply chains, launch vessels and ensure workers have the needed training to build and crew American-made ships. We will also need to consistently monitor our progress and adjust fees, sanctions and other trade remedies as needed.   

“This yearlong process now spans two administrations, and we look forward to continuing to work with both our trade representative and Congress to ensure a bipartisan, durable approach to revitalize American shipbuilding capacity.”  

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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