Congressman Doyle Calls on Administration to "Take Forceful Action" Against Job-Killing Foreign Imports

Press Release

U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) reacted angrily today to the announcement that the United States Steel Corporation will stop production at its McKeesport Tubular Operations facility.

"This is devastating news for our community, especially the workers who are being laid off," Congressman Doyle said after the announcement. "My heart goes out to those workers and their families, and I promise them that I will do everything in my power to get the McKeesport facility back up and running."

"This is just the latest example of foreign trade practices hurting American manufacturers and destroying American jobs," he added. "I've been working closely with US Steel and the USW to fight illegal steel imports like this throughout my service in Congress. We've been urging US trade agencies to act against illegal dumping of foreign-made tubular products for a year now, and I've been frustrated by what I consider to be a completely inadequate response."

Two weeks ago, Congressman Doyle was one of a number of speakers at a rally at the US Steel research center in Munhall that called on the Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission to move more aggressively to counter imports of "Oil Country Tubular Goods" that are "dumped" in the United States -- sold below their cost of production by foreign companies. Those products are subsidized by their countries' governments, in violation of international trade agreements. Foreign imports of oil country tubular goods have more than doubled in recent years; they now make up half of the pipes purchased for oil and gas production in the United States. This unfair foreign competition has put severe financial pressure on domestic tubular goods makers.

Congressman Doyle sent a letter last summer to the ITC urging the federal government to take action to counter foreign dumping of tubular goods. The Commerce Department imposed duties on some OCTG imports in February, but as today's announcement by US Steel suggests, US actions to date have not leveled the playing field.

"As long as foreign producers are allowed to illegally dump their products in the US market, hardworking American families and American businesses will pay the price," Congressman Doyle observed. "Rest assured we'll continue to pressure the Commerce Department and the Administration to take forceful action against illegal imports of pipes, tubes, and other steel products."

"Congressman Mike Doyle is no new-comer in the battle for fair trade and a level playing field for American workers," USW International President Leo Gerard observed. "He is a seasoned veteran that has been there for USW members and their families time and time again. With this latest tragic announcement of yet another blow to US manufacturing workers and their families, the USW will, as always, work side-by-side with Mike."

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