Rogers Targets China's Theft of U.S. Jobs

Press Release

Rogers Targets China's Theft of U.S. Jobs

China's unfair trade practices are the target of an amendment U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, MI-08, introduced today, calling for strengthening the Office of China Compliance (OCC) to boost enforcement of international trade rules.

"America's trade deficit with China mushroomed to more than $230 billion last year," said Rogers, who serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and on the Subcommittee on Trade. "China ignores international trade law, using illegal and unfair practices that are literally stealing American jobs.

"The time is well-passed when we need to take off the kid gloves and get tough about demanding that China live up to the laws that put us on a level playing field. We need to put a stop to the counterfeit products, like auto parts, currency manipulation, and the outright theft of intellectual property."

Rogers' amendment would increase funding for the OCC from $6 million to $12 million in the FY2008 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act under consideration on the House floor today. The Rogers' proposal would beef up trade monitoring and enforcement within the U.S. Department of Commerce's Trade Agreement Compliance Center. By paying special attention to small and medium-sized U.S. businesses, the OCC has been working since 2004 to protect American jobs by identifying and fighting China's dangerous trade practices.

"Only with vigorous and well-funded trade monitoring and enforcement can we ensure that U.S. manufacturers can compete around the world," Rogers said. "Expanding the work of the OCC will benefit small and medium-sized businesses across the nation, but especially in states like Michigan where manufacturing is the backbone of our economy."

Rogers is targeting China's trade law cheating, including on counterfeit auto parts like these pictured on his website: http://www.mikerogers.house.gov/Gallery.aspx?G=6. Counterfeit auto parts, according to Federal Trade Commission estimates, cost U.S. automotive suppliers $12 billion annually in sales, which translates to about 200,000 jobs lost each year.

The FBI reports counterfeit products steal about $250 billion in sales and 750,000 U.S. jobs a year.

"Workers in Michigan and the rest of the U.S. can compete in the global economy as long as trade rules are fair and all nations abide by the laws governing international trade," said Rogers, who served at an FBI Special Agent. "China must be held accountable for its cheating and the impact on American workers and their families."

Rogers' amendment was introduced this afternoon and a full House vote is expected late today.

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