WTO Electrical Steel Decision a Blow to Abusive Trade Practices, Say Lawmakers

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) gave their support to the World Trade Organization decision ruling against several aspects of Chinese antidumping and countervailing duties on U.S. electrical steel.

“I commend the Administration for successfully challenging China’s retaliatory actions -- and for standing up to China’s blatant disregard for the rules of fair trade and its WTO commitments," said Levin in a press release. "China must act as a responsible stakeholder in the global trading system and this decision illustrates the importance of aggressively acting to rein in China’s abusive trade practices.”

McDermott said the decision will help the U.S. develop strong trade policy. "In the current political environment where Republicans have consistently refused to help create jobs, the President is focused on increasing our exports and a strong trade policy to grow American businesses and create jobs, he said. "This WTO decision is very important -- it sends the message that the United States won't let China impose unfair and illegal penalties against U.S. goods and that the Obama Administration is going to defend a fair playing field for American businesses."

(See ITT's Online Archives 12061529 for summary of the WTO decision).