PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT:  David A. Hartquist, 202.342.8450

CSUSTL Strongly Supports Legislation to Enhance U.S. Trade Remedies, And Urges

Improvements in Ways and Means Bill

(Washington, D.C., July 18, 2008) – The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) urges prompt action on a new trade enforcement bill introduced by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel and Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade Chairman Sander M. Levin.  “Legislation is urgently needed to help American manufacturers and producers to fight unfair trade practices such as dumping and foreign government subsidies,” said Joseph L. Mayer, Chairman of CSUSTL and President of the Copper and Brass Fabricators Council Inc.  “We commend Chairman Rangel, Subcommittee Chairman Levin and their staffs for their hard work in drafting this legislation.”

“The bill addresses a number of problems that must be fixed to make the trade laws work for U.S. producers and U.S. workers.  But it needs to go further in correcting key flaws in our trade laws, some of which have resulted from unjustifiable decisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO).  The bill should more directly and forcefully address a number of erroneous decisions of the WTO, including decisions that unfairly reduce dumping margins (zeroing) and that restrict the right of the U.S. government to determine how antidumping and countervailing duties are used.  It also should address Chinese currency manipulation and other improvements needed to make the trade remedy laws easier to use for injured companies and their workers, such as provisions improving standing and dealing with circumvention,” Mayer said.

“Passage of legislation is particularly important now, as our economy is struggling, worker layoffs are occurring throughout the nation, American businesses are being forced to shut down or relocate abroad, and our trade deficit is surging.  New trade legislation can help our companies and workers combat imports from China and other countries, which flagrantly disregard WTO rules by providing literally billions of dollars of government subsidies to their home country producers.  We can compete with companies that live within the principles of the free enterprise system, but we cannot compete with companies which survive on government handouts and do not have to make a profit to survive,” Mr. Mayer said.

In addition to improving the effectiveness of U.S. trade remedies, the bill would also fight counterfeiting, improve import safety, and eliminate barriers to American exports.  “We urge Congress to enact much-needed trade enforcement legislation as soon as possible,” Mr. Mayer said.

The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws is an ad hoc coalition representing American manufacturers, food producers, and workers who are committed to preserving the U.S. trade laws as a vital protection against unfair foreign trade practices.

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