Altmire Protects Western Pennsylvania Manufacturers from Unfair Trade Practices

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today voted in favor of legislation that clarifies that the United States has the authority to apply countervailing duties (CVD) to goods from non-market economies (NMEs), such as China. The legislation, which Congressman Altmire cosponsored with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, overturns a court ruling that prevents the U.S. Commerce Department from applying tariffs on goods that have been illegally subsidized.

"The ability to enforce trade remedies, such as countervailing duties, helps to ensure that American manufacturers are able to compete on a level playing field with other countries," Congressman Altmire said. "To protect American companies from these unfair trade practices, Congress needed to act and we did today with bipartisan support. I will continue to fight to protect the interests of western Pennsylvania's manufacturers from these illegal trade practices that threaten their success."

In western Pennsylvania, passage of the bill means producers of a number of materials, including circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe, circular welded carbon-quality steel line pipe, oil country tubular goods, seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, pressure pipe, and magnesia carbon bricks will not be up against illegally subsidized products from overseas markets. In February, Congressman Altmire joined a number of his colleagues on a letter to the House leadership emphasizing the urgent need for Congressional action to address this issue. A copy of the letter is available by clicking here.

The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 370-39.

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