Visclosky Testifies For Steel Tariffs For Seventh Time This Year

18 October 2016

Congressman Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, has been pushing for more steel tariffs and more enforcement of new trade laws aimed at preventing steel dumping.

Visclosky testified last week before the International Trade Commission for the seventh time this year, this time for tariffs on circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe.

“As you are well aware, the steel import crisis is perilously threatening the livelihoods of the dedicated workers in steel communities throughout our nation," Visclosky said. "The recent influx of illegal steel imports has prompted the initiation of nine steel trade cases, and today I am testifying here at the ITC for the seventh time this year. It is my sincere hope that as the weather turns and we end the summer of steel, we can move forward now into the fall of fair trade."

Circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe is used in fences, sprinklers and heating systems.

"And while it is currently made in a variety of locations across our country, including California, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, I deeply regret that it used to be made in additional plants in Illinois and Pennsylvania, as well as in plants that are now idled or closed in Arizona and Iowa," Visclosky said. "It is past time that we send the message to the countries involved in this case, and all countries around the world, that we will not tolerate illegal steel imports."

Visclosky, Vice Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus and Chairman Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pennsylvania, also sent a letter to the ITC urging that it enforce new trade laws on steel imports coming in from Oman, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. The new trade laws, the first passed by Congress in years, enable the federal agency to initiate investigations against steel dumpers and use real-time economic data to calculate economic injury.

“We are acutely aware of the real-world impacts of illegal imports on American steelworkers and steel producers,” Murphy and Visclosky wrote in the letter. “Steel communities across our country are experiencing the devastating impacts of illegal imports. Mills are idling and closing. Hard working steelworkers are being laid off. American steel producers and workers just want to compete on a level playing field, and we owe them the opportunity to do so.”

 

Source : nwitimes.com