Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
United Steelworkers (USW) International President Tom Conway issued the following statement today after United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai delivered a speech outlining the Biden-Harris administration’s new approach to the U.S.-China trade relationship:
“The USW welcomes the Biden administration’s plan for addressing our nation’s trade relationship with China. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai made clear in her remarks today that we must have a steady approach to confronting the Chinese government’s predatory and protectionist policies rather than the often erratic and limited approach of the Trump administration.
“As we seek to address the structural problems posed by the Chinese Communist Party’s non-market and state-led trade practices, our focus must first be on ensuring China’s leaders fulfill the promises they’ve made, rather than rushing to extract new promises they are unlikely to keep.
“China’s leaders have yet to meet the commitments of the Trump administration’s Phase One trade deal, and Tai made it clear that enforcing this deal is her first priority. As such, the Biden administration will maintain the tariffs that China’s leaders accepted as part of this agreement and will not unilaterally disarm as China’s trade policies continue to undermine global markets and the jobs and livelihood of workers here in the United States.
“Tai also highlighted the devastating impact these policies continue to have on our steel industry and our workers. China built up enormous overcapacity that swamped world markets, undermining our national and economic security. Her focus on steel reflects the Biden administration’s recognition of how critical the sector and its workforce are to our nation.
“A sound plan for addressing our trade relationship with China will enable us to invest in America’s future and build back better. We welcome the vision expressed in Tai’s speech and look forward to working with the administration as it moves forward with this approach.”
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.