USW Presents Trade Case on China Tire Imports Today, June 2

June 2, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) will present testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Tuesday, Jun. 2, along with other USW officers involved with the domestic tire industry in a major trade case that seeks to stem the flood of imported consumer tires from China. Ten Members of Congress will also testify.

According to the USW petition filed April 20, a surge of 46 million passenger and light truck tire imports from China was worth $1.7 billion in 2008. More than 5,100 domestic workers have been eliminated at four tire plants closed in the U.S. since 2004. About 3,000 more jobs are slated to be lost by year’s end as three more plants close or stop production of passenger and light truck tires.

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The case was filed by the union under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974. Documents show imports of passenger tires from China increased from 2004 to 2008 by 215 percent in volume and 295 percent by value. The USW said it seeks to combat the egregious import surge by requesting the government impose a quota on China of 21 million consumer tires.

The ITC hearing on June 2 will be the only one at the commission in the procedure for this Section 421 trade case. The commission will vote on market disruption caused by China tire imports on

June 18. If the June 18th vote is affirmative, then the remedy will be voted on June 29. The ITC will follow with a report to President Obama by July. 9. The President’s decision on a remedy is due in mid-September.

WHAT: Public hearing on China imports of passenger and light truck tires.

WHEN: June 2, Tuesday; beginning at 9:30 am.

WHERE: U.S. International Trade Commission, main hearing room, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC.

WHO: Leo W. Gerard, International President and Tom Conway, International Vice President; USW,
Pittsburgh, PA.

In addition, Members of Congress who will testify include: U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH); Evan Bayh(D-IN); Robert Casey (D-PA); Arlen Specter (D-PA); Blanche Lincoln (D-AR); U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL); Louise Slaughter (D-NY); Tom Cole (R-OK), Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI) and Tim Ryan (D-OH).

The USW represents about 15,000 tire workers at 13 plants in nine states, which accounts for nearly half of the industry’s production capacity in 2008.

For more information on the USW’s trade case against China tire imports: www.usw.org/tires

Source: USW