Sens. Franken, Klobuchar, and Baldwin Introduce New Bill to Keep Unfair Chinese Trade Practices in Check, Protect American Workers

Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), joined by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), introduced a new measure that would protect workers and businesses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and across the country by helping to keep China's unscrupulous trade practices in check.

China is currently classified by the world's top trade authorities as a "non-market economy"--meaning that the government steers the economy and prices don't accurately reflect their true values. And because it's classified as a non-market economy, the U.S. is able to take additional steps to more accurately impose anti-dumping duties.

Right now, China is pushing trade officials in the U.S. and abroad to grant it "market economy" status. If that request is approved, which could happen by the end of 2016, we could lose important trade protections and potentially face serious economic consequences in Northern Minnesota's Iron Range and Wisconsin's timber economy.

The Senators' legislation proposes a simple, yet effective step to support fair trade practices: if the U.S. Commerce Department decides to grant market-economy status to China, Congress would be allowed to either approve or deny the decision. By doing that, Congress would have an opportunity to protect American workers, communities, and industries.

"When it comes producing iron ore and steel, Minnesota's Iron Rangers know that they can compete with anybody in the world on a level-playing field," said Sen. Franken."But when China manipulates its trade economy, it undercuts American producers and threatens our workers, communities, and industries. Granting China 'market economy' status would potentially harm regions like Northern Minnesota and would also make it more difficult to crack down on unfair trade practices. Our workers deserve better, which is why we need to pass this new bill to help us keep China's trade practices in check."

"China dumps more illegal steel than any other country in the world," said Sen. Klobuchar. "The government subsidizes 80 percent of the steel companies in China, manipulates currency, and engages in corporate espionage against American competition. It is clear that China does not have a market economy. We have made so much progress in cracking down on illegal steel dumping - progress that's renewing confidence for U.S. companies who are beginning to put miners back to work. We shouldn't turn back now. Congress deserves a voice in whether China should be granted market-economy status."

"In Wisconsin, our manufacturing economy has sustained our prosperity for generations but it has taken a lot of hits. And as the nation's leading paper producer, and a top manufacturer, Wisconsin stands to lose the most when foreign companies cheat," said Sen. Baldwin. "Removing China's non-market economy status would force us to rely on questionable Chinese data when settling trade disputes, further limiting our ability to stop China's trade cheating which has already put thousands of Americans out of work. We must take on unfair trade practices and policies and place our bet on American workers by creating an even playing field."

A companion measure has been introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) in the House of Representatives.

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