Statement of USW President Leo W. Gerard in Response to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk’s New Initiatives for Trade Enforcement Speech

Contact:   Wayne Ranick 412-562-2444

(Pittsburgh) — “Today U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk delivered an important address ushering in a new era in trade policy that renews our nation’s commitment to enforcing the rules and fighting for the interests of working people.   His speech calls for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to create jobs and opportunities for America’s industrial workers, farmers and businesses.   Enforcing the rules is an essential ingredient to ensuring that our trade policies actually work to create jobs, opportunity and economic growth. When America stands up, our trading partners open up.  That’s the way it should be.

Ambassador Kirk announced a number of new trade enforcement measures aimed at saving jobs and creating new jobs in the United States by leveling the global playing field for American workers and businesses at U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works – Edgar Thomson Plant in Pittsburgh, Pa on July 16, 2009.

“As North America’s largest industrial union, the United Steelworkers (USW) have had to bear too much of the burden of foreign unfair, predatory and protectionist trade practices.   Other nations have closed their markets to our products while they have enjoyed virtually unfettered access to the U.S. market.  The result:  shuttered factories, shattered dreams and skyrocketing trade deficits that sap our economic strength.

Ambassador Kirk meets with Steelworkers at U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works – Edgar Thomson Plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 16, 2009.

“Today’s speech by the USTR identified that trade enforcement is a priority, and it’s about time.  The USW looks forward to working with the USTR and the Obama Administration to make sure that today’s speech is followed by an integrated action plan.  Our government must ensure that the products of our manufacturers and farmers have access to foreign markets and are not forced to compete with unfairly subsidized or dumped products here at home. The success of the USTR’s speech and the policy he intends to implement will be measured in the days ahead by the number of jobs that are created.

“For our union, enforcing the rules has been a constant fight that we will continue to wage.  A clear and consistent approach to trade enforcement will help retain and create good, family-supportive jobs.”

The United Steelworkers (USW) is North America’s largest industrial union, representing workers in industries ranging from steel to cement, wood and paper products, rubber, glass, chemicals and many other products.  

The USW has been actively engaged in utilizing our nation’s trade laws and enforcement tools to combat foreign unfair, predatory and protectionist trade practices.  Currently, the USW is advocating that the Obama Administration adopt the International Trade Commission’s recommendation that relief be provided to the domestic consumer tire industry in its Section 421 case.

Photos courtesy of U.S. Trade Representative’s photostream

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