U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) on Dec. 4 proposed a bipartisan bill that would modify the procedures for investigating claims of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders in an effort to stymie illegal trade practices, particularly in the steel industry.
“For years, foreign steel producers have undercut American steel and tube producers by exporting their product at prices below the cost of production,” Rep. Kelly said. “These harmful — and even illegal — trade practices have hurt Pennsylvania steel producers, leading to job losses in communities across Pennsylvania and the United States.”
The congressman sponsored the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations (STEEL) Act, H.R. 6446, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) to enhance trade enforcement legislation and prevent dumping, an unfair trade practice by foreign nations.
“The STEEL Act puts American companies first, and it fully rejects the idea that foreign companies can participate in the U.S. market against U.S. companies without playing by the same rules,” said Rep. Kelly.
Under H.R. 6446, a person determined to have entered covered merchandise through evasion into the U.S. may seek judicial review only if all liquidated duties, charges, or exactions have been paid at the time the judicial review is sought, according to the text of the bill.
“Western Pennsylvanians know how decades of wimpy trade law enforcement have hurt American workers and industry,” said Rep. Deluzio. “We’ve got to make a change, and that means stopping trade cheats from ripping us off. I’m glad to work with Congressman Mike Kelly on this bill to put some muscle back into our trade enforcement laws and help level the playing field for American jobs and industries.”
H.R. 6446 is supported by the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports, and the United States OCTG Manufacturers Association.