USW International President Leo Gerard Delivers Industry Update, Addresses Tariffs for House Steel Caucus

PITTSBURGH, March 21, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard today told members of the House Steel Caucus that thousands of laid-off steelworkers will soon be recalled to their jobs as a result of relief measures taken by the administration in the interest of national defense under Section 232 of the Trade Act.

In his testimony, Gerard pointed out that pro-trade economists and pundits have greatly exaggerated the potential impact of the 25 percent steel import tariff on consumers and at the same time ignored the manufacturing workers and communities that decades of so-called "free" trade have devastated.

Although steel is vital to our nation's defense and critical infrastructure, Gerard said that almost 30 percent of the U.S. market in 2017 was taken by imports. He testified that imports from China, South Korea, Russia, Brazil, Vietnam, India and other countries are sold at prices that reflect unfair dumping, illegal subsidies or both, rendering American producers unable to compete – despite operating vastly more efficiently.

Finally, Gerard affirmed that Canada is the only country the USW believes should be exempt from the tariffs due to the nature of our defense and intelligence sharing relationship. A NATO ally and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) partner, he said that Canada's unique supply relationships can meet defense procurement needs, if they arise.

For the full text of President Gerard's testimony before the House Steel Caucus, please visit http://usw.to/2jw.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information, visit http://www.usw.org.

More information, contact: Holly Hart – (202) 778-4384 or [email protected]
Tony Montana – (412) 562-2592 or [email protected]

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

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