Hoffa: It's Time to Get Tough on China

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Oct 11, 2011, 01:09 ET

Official Statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is an official statement today from Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa on the union's support of S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO )

"I urge the Senate to pass this important legislation, which would put tariffs on products from China unless it stops undervaluing its currency. We've lost nearly 3 million jobs in the past 10 years because of our trade deficit with China.

"We are sacrificing our manufacturing base to a country that doesn't play by the rules. Workers are suffering and their communities are hurting. We are losing the edge in innovation and technology that made the U.S. economy great. America can't wait any longer to solve this terrible problem.

"Failing to pass this bipartisan legislation will continue the downward slide of America's middle class. Enacting it will create millions of jobs in the United States and put our economy back on track. I urge the Senate to send this bill to the House."

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters