WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. International Trade Commission heard testimony on the future of steel trade policies. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) submitted testimony on the effectiveness of antidumping and countervailing duty orders, which prevent the flood of cheap foreign steel on the US market.

“U.S. manufacturing is already facing employment losses to the tune of 2.7 million jobs since this Administration took office, in addition to rising healthcare costs and battling Chinese currency manipulation. Instability in the steel market is the last thing that our manufacturers need right now,” Stupak said.    

In 1999, the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on hot-rolled steel from Brazil, Japan and Russia were first implemented providing much needed relief for the domestic steel industries. The domestic steel and iron ore producers continue to make progress through their commitment to consolidate and restructure in order to compete with low-priced imports. Despite this, however, no American company can compete with unfair foreign trade practices.

“If we remove the antidumping orders now, it will wholly prevent the U.S. steel and iron ore industries from having an opportunity to complete these necessary restructuring and capital investments needed to compete against cheap foreign steel – something they are on their way to accomplishing,” Stupak said. “I urge the ITC to retain these orders for another five years.  To do away with the Administration’s safeguard at this point would undermine these significant strides made by the steel and iron ore industry and harm this critical manufacturing sector and our nation’s economy.”

The steel industry is vital to U.S. interests. A strong domestic steel industry is essential to a strong domestic manufacturing sector and national defense. Furthermore, in a time when our nation is at war in Iraq, we continue to hear that there are not enough armored vehicles for our troops.  American steel is critical to ensuring that our soldiers are kept safe by armoring these vehicles as quickly as possible.  

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