Sutton Hosts Alliance for American Manufacturing to Unveil New Trade Study

Press Release

Sutton Hosts Alliance for American Manufacturing to Unveil New Trade Study

On Tuesday, May 22, Congresswoman Betty Sutton was joined by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Congressman Phil English (R-PA) to host a screening and discussion of Enforcing the Rules: Strong Trade Laws as the Foundation of a Sound American Trade Policy. Sutton, Brown and English introduced the ninety-two page report, released by the Alliance for American Manufacturing, and showed a ten-minute video summarizing its findings.

"This study highlights what folks in Ohio already know: American trade laws that prohibit foreign countries from flooding our markets with goods priced below the cost of production or below the price in the producer's home country are the cornerstone of fair trade," Sutton said. "Anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws are necessary to protect American manufacturers from the unfair practices of companies propped up by foreign governments. American companies and American workers are the most efficient and the most productive in the world. They can compete with anyone, but only if there is a fair and level playing field. American companies do not have the ability to compete with foreign governments and they should not be forced to do so. We must enforce trade laws to ensure that our manufacturers and workers have a fair chance to compete."

To highlight the severe damage unfair trade has on American companies, Enforcing the Rules contains a detailed analysis of the specific impact of dumping and subsidies as seen in ten recent cases where anti-dumping or countervailing duties have been imposed. The study also highlights the indirect impact of these unfair trade practices, including the effects on various supplier and related industries. Enforcing the Rules also addresses and rebuts the criticisms against enforcement of American trade laws.

"Enforcing the Rules is a thoughtful, in-depth look at the need for our trade enforcement mechanisms to ensure that American companies and American workers have a fair and level playing field. Through dumping and unfair subsidies, foreign nations have flooded our country with under-priced imports. As a result, over 200,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Ohio alone since 2001. We must give hardworking Americans an equal chance by enforcing rules of trade."

The report was authored by Greg Mastel, former Chief International Trade Adviser and Chief Economist at the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and author of numerous books and articles on the operation of U.S. trade; Lawrence Chimerine, president of Radnor International Consulting; John Magnus, president of TRADEWINS LLC; and Andrew Szamosszegi, managing consultant at Capital Trade, Incorporated.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) is an innovative partnership between labor and management formed to develop strategies that will strengthen American manufacturing. AAM promotes public policy solutions on international trade, health care, retirement security, currency valuation and other issues of mutual concern to American manufacturers and workers.

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