Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 412-562-2444
(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) and its labor partners today welcomed the comprehensive report from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on its investigation on commercial shipbuilding and its findings that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) engaged in a broad range of tactics designed to dominate and control the maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors.
The USW last year led a coalition of labor organizations in filing a Section 301 petition, calling for the investigation. Partners included the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
The USTR’s report illustrates how the PRC decimated U.S. shipbuilding, maritime and logistics capabilities, contributing to the loss of thousands of jobs. These illegal trade practices, including subsidies, preferential sourcing policies and unfair labor practices, also significantly weakened the nation’s economic and military strength.
Under Section 301, a report identifying unreasonable, burdensome and/or restrictive practices can lead to the president implementing policies to address the harm. This decision will fall to the incoming administration. President Donald Trump has already indicated a willingness to hold the PRC accountable and has said that our maritime industries have “suffered tremendously.”
The original petitioners on the case have since been joined by other unions and groups in seeking to stand up to the PRC, put American workers and manufacturing first, and protect national security. The USTR’s report lays a firm and undeniable indictment, requiring a swift, decisive response.
“We’re thankful for the USTR’s comprehensive investigation, laying bare the deeply troubling impacts the PRC’s trade policies have on our members and their communities,” said USW International President David McCall. “By targeting global maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors, the Chinese Communist Party has systematically – and publicly – worked to dominate this vital sector, leaving us increasingly dependent on the PRC and its industries to meet our economic and national security needs. Now, we have the opportunity to turn the tide, create good, community-supporting jobs across the commercial shipbuilding supply chain and restore American maritime capacity and power.”
“As a shipbuilder by trade, I’ve seen firsthand how China’s unfair trade practices have decimated the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “It is well past time to take swift and bold action to restore U.S. shipbuilding to a position of strength. As the largest shipbuilding union, the IAM stands ready to work with all partners in this fight to protect our national security, reinvigorate this critical industry, and defend the dedicated and skilled American workers who build these vessels for our military, commercial industry and more.”
“The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers applauds this report from USTR and sincerely appreciates their diligence investigating the harmful and illegal practices of the People’s Republic of China as they attempt to dominate the global shipbuilding and maritime space,” said Timothy Simmons, President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. “We agree with the Section 301 investigation’s conclusions: that China’s predatory actions in the logistics, maritime and shipbuilding sectors demonstrate a clear and unambiguous intent to dominate global markets to the detriment of American workers, employers, and our national security. We hope the incoming administration will build upon the clear findings of this report and implement strong remedies that level the playing field for American workers in the shipbuilding and maritime sector.”
“We must prioritize national defense and security by reducing our reliance on China for critical infrastructure. The Chinese Communist Party has systematically worked to dominate the maritime, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors, leaving us vulnerable and dependent on foreign industries to meet our nation’s needs,” said IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper. “We’re grateful to the USTR for its thorough investigation, which sheds light on the devastating impact of these unfair trade practices. Now is the time for bold action to rebuild America’s shipbuilding strength, create good, union jobs, and reinvigorate this critical industry.”
For further information on the case, see www.USAshipbuilding.com.
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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