Gerard on newest trade cases: Good but not enough; comprehensive strategy needed

CONTACT: Holly Hart: (202) 778-4384

(Pittsburgh – April 8, 2016) — United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard released the following statement today after three major U.S. steel producers — ArcelorMittal USA, Nucor Corporation, and SSAB Enterprises — filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions covering imports of certain carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate (CTL plate) from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Taiwan and Turkey.   

“Today’s trade case is another effort to address the hemorrhaging in production and jobs caused by unfair trade practices. Its success is a key step to restoring a fair market, but a long-term solution is also sorely needed. In addition to winning this and the other major trade cases already filed, we need comprehensive action to address global overcapacity in steel, which is largely fueled by China’s state-led policies.

“The injury that has been inflicted on workers, their families, their communities and our nation is incalculable. More than 13,000 steelworkers have already lost their jobs. We’re literally in the fight for our lives as the steel industry, with the support of the USW, keeps filing case after case. 

“Next week, the Obama Administration will hold a hearing on the crisis in the steel sector.  Antidumping and countervailing duty cases are an important weapon in our arsenal against unfair trade.  Hopefully, the administration will gather the information they need to move forward quickly. It only has to exercise its discretion under the law to utilize other remedies readily available under U.S. trade laws.  

“Time is growing short for steelworkers and the industry. The time for talk is over. Action is needed now.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.  For more information: http://www.usw.org/.