Issue Position: Pennsylvania Manufacturing and Trade

Issue Position

Because PA is a manufacturing state, unfair trade practices by countries like China have hit Pennsylvania hard. Bob Casey has fought against unfair trade practices that would put Pennsylvania jobs at risk, and he is fighting for tough sanctions against China for its currency abuses and illegal dumping of cheap products in American markets.

Cracking Down on China's Currency Manipulation: Bob Casey has been a vocal opponent of Chinese currency manipulation that allows China to cheat and put American workers at a disadvantage. He has repeatedly called on the Obama Administration to more aggressively confront China and he is pushing legislation, passed by the Senate, which would make it harder for the Administration to avoid taking action against China.

Leveling the Playing Field for PA Workers and Companies: Bob Casey cosponsored the Unfair Foreign Competition Act to help manufacturers who are hurt by the dumping of foreign products into U.S. markets. Bob Casey cosponsored the Trade Enforcement Priorities Act to protect domestic manufacturing by giving the U.S. Trade Representative more authority to address trade barriers that hurt American workers.

Opposing Unfair Trade Deals: Bob Casey voted against new NAFTA-style trade agreements because they would put Pennsylvania jobs at risk due to unfair trade while not doing enough to level the playing field for Pennsylvania workers.

Enforcing Trade Laws to Help PA Manufacturers: There are laws on the books to fight unfair foreign trade, but those laws must be more aggressively enforced. That is why Bob Casey cosponsored the Trade Enforcement Priorities Act to protect domestic manufacturing by giving the U.S. Trade Representative more authority to address trade barriers that hurt American workers.

Stopping Outsourcing: Bob Casey voted for legislation to eliminate tax incentives corporations receive to send U.S. jobs overseas and provide a tax break for companies who bring jobs back from overseas.

Boosting Exports of PA Products: To help Pennsylvania companies export products and create and maintain jobs, Bob Casey supported an extension of the Export-Import Bank that has lent over $1.7 billion to over 200 Pennsylvania companies since 2007.

National Manufacturing Strategy: Bob Casey has used his position as Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee to focus attention on problems facing Pennsylvania manufacturers. He has met with employers around Pennsylvania and held a series of hearings to urge the development of a national manufacturing strategy to make Pennsylvania companies and workers more competitive in the global marketplace.

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