Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressional Steel Caucus Chairman Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) and Vice Chairman Phil English (R-Pa.) convened a Steel Caucus Hearing to further examine the dangers of imported Chinese steel products and explore policy options to ensure a level playing field for American steel producers.

“The incidence of sub-standard Chinese steel is a public safety issue and lives are at stake,” said Visclosky.  “China just doesn’t play by the same rules and, as was made evident in today’s hearing, we must take positive action to protect ourselves from Chinese steel and support our domestic steel industry.”

“Steel products surround us in everyday life,” English said.  “Taking for granted the integrity and safety of these products from China, sadly, is something we learned today could have grave consequences.”

Today’s Congressional Steel Caucus hearing focused on sub-standard Chinese steel, the growing volume of steel imported from China, and measures to protect the American public from dangerous Chinese steel.  Visclosky, English and others heard testimony from:  Daniel Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner, U. S. Customs and Border Protection Office of International Trade; Will Boggs, Chairman, Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports and Vice President, Allied Tube and Conduit; Bill Upton, President, Vulcan Threaded Products, a division of Vulcan Steel Products; and Mikey Bolt, United Steelworkers.

In his testimony, Mr. Upton of Vulcan Threaded Products, stated that, after surveying Chinese steelmaking practices in China, he was highly skeptical that this practice would yield the product the mill was selling.  To determine if he was correct, his company ordered and had tested at an independent testing laboratory threaded steel rods supposedly in conformance with the ASTM specification A193 B-7.  Mr. Upton testified that the independent lab that tested the material found that the failure rate of the rods from China reached an astonishing 60 percent.  This particular product is used in structural applications for securing or fastening in environments where strength is critically important, such as pipe lines, bridges, power plants, and other applications. 

“In light of the bad results of independent tests performed on Chinese steel products, it is abundantly clear that we need to put stronger protections in place at our ports of entry,” said Visclosky.  “When sub-standard steel goes into our roads, bridges, and skyscrapers it threatens our safety and unnecessarily risks American lives.  The Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection should be working to keep the American people safe by doing more than just enforcing tariffs at our ports.”

“Without adequate assurances on the quality of imported steel products, consumers and users of steel products have no way of knowing whether the pipe to their gas stove or the fire sprinkler in their office will fail under normal use,” English said.  “The difference between steel that makes the grade and steel that doesn’t meet required standards is truly a matter of life or death.”

Last fall, Visclosky and English highlighted the use of Chinese pipe on the border fence between the U.S. and Mexico.  Citing concerns regarding the safety of the pipe as well as its adverse impact on American steel employers, the House lawmakers have joined together to announce the American Steel First Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Buy America law to ensure American-made steel is used in applications like the border fence.  Specifically, the legislation requires construction projects executed by the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Transportation to use 100 percent American steel.

“The American Steel First Act will combat unfair steel imports by requiring the increased use of domestic steel products in federal projects,” said Visclosky.  “It will give our steel industry a boost, create much-needed American jobs, and save lives.”

“By converting this fence into a Great Wall of China, the Washington bureaucrats have undercut the living standards of workers throughout America, using their own tax dollars,” English said.  “This Congress is prepared to act to see that the law is changed to prevent this travesty from happening again.”

The Congressional Steel Caucus is a bipartisan group of 108 Members of Congress who represent districts with steel manufacturers or care about the health of the American steel industry.  Through legislation, roundtable discussions, and hearings, the Steel Caucus focuses on the needs of the steel industry and what it takes to level the playing field for employers and preserve American jobs.

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