U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) has led a bipartisan call for U.S. officials to bring a World Trade Organization (WTO) case against China in response to its aluminum trade violations.
China’s government has subsidized its aluminum sector, leading to a steep increase in capacity and production that has made global aluminum prices fall by 35 percent.
China’s subsidization of aluminum, a violation of WTO obligations, has also led to thousands of lost jobs in U.S. aluminum production, including 1,500 in 2016 alone.
“I firmly believe that when Ohio workers have a level playing field, they can compete and win against competition anywhere in the world,” Portman said. “Unfortunately, China’s persistent cheating has led to a situation where the playing field is not level in the aluminum industry, and Ohioans have suffered as a result. We must protect Ohio jobs, and it is imperative that the administration takes action before China’s cheating further harms Ohio workers.”
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who joined Portman in urging the United States Trade Representative to bring a case against China, said China’s government is cheating, not competing.
“Enforcing our trade laws will ensure that U.S. aluminum manufacturers, the best in the world, have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field,” Brown said. “The administration needs to stand up for American businesses and put an end to the massive layoffs that have devastated workers and their communities.”
Jeff Henderson, the president of the Aluminum Extruders Council, said the organization appreciates Brown and Portman’s leadership on the issue.
“Massive expansion in Chinese excess aluminum capacity is adversely affecting producers up and down the value chain and must be addressed immediately, the U.S. industry cannot wait any longer,” Henderson said.
Portman and Brown led efforts to help U.S. industries fight back against unfair trade practices by introducing the Leveling the Playing Field Act last year.
The bill, which has since been signed into law, has brought about the most comprehensive reforms to trade remedy law since 2002.