Petri Testifies for Mercury Marine

Press Release

Congressman Tom Petri testified in support of outboard motor manufacturer Mercury Marine this morning at a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing in Washington. The Fond du Lac company contends that Japanese outboard engines are being dumped on the U.S. market in order to increase market share at the expense of Mercury Marine's newest product, an innovative engine which took five years and $100 million to develop.

"All assumptions about the benefits of free trade and fair competition are out the window when our trading partners do not play by the rules," Petri said.

In August the U.S. Commerce Department determined that dumping has occurred, and set a conditional duty of 22.5%. The Commerce Department will make its final determination on December 24.

The implementation of the Department's recommended duty is contigent on a positive finding of injury to domestic outboard engine producers by the ITC, which is scheduled to finalize its decision in late January, 2005.

"This case is about protecting a world class domestic producer from competitors that are seeking an unfair advantage through dumping. This company, Mercury Marine, is now threatened with further injury if not granted final antidumping relief. We cannot afford to lose more manufacturing jobs to unfair trade," Petri said.

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