Posted on 09/24/2009 1:03:40 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
HONG KONG -- A trade tiff over tires may escalate into a full-fledged trade war, with American unions taking on Asian exporters.
Three American paper companies, joined by the union that represents their workers, charged on Wednesday that unfair trade practices in China and Indonesia have cost thousands of Americans their jobs by driving down the cost of paper.
The three companies plus the United Steelworkers (USW) union submitted petitions to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC). They claimed that certain types of coated paper imported from China and Indonesia have eliminated thousands of American jobs and are hurting American producers.
Joined by three paper companies located in ailing industrial regions, including Appleton Coated in Kimberly, Wisc., Sappi Fine Paper of Boston, and NewPage Corp. in Miamisburg, Ohio, the union is calling for antidumping and anti-subsidy duties against Chinese and Indonesian coated paper, which they say flooded the American market. The Steelworkers union represents 850,000 American workers nationwide, including 6,000 paper mill workers employed by the three companies.
Earlier this month, China protested vehemently when President Barack Obama levied a 35% tariff on tire imports. China complained to the World Trade Organization about the U.S. tariffs. In addition, China retaliated by launching investigations into whether the U.S. is dumping chicken products and auto parts at unfair prices in its market. The new paper lawsuit is sure to further escalate trade tensions between China and the U.S.
In order to win the case, according to Winston & Strawn partner William Barringer, there must be sufficient evidence not only that the governments of these countries are unlawfully aiding the production of these paper goods and lowering their prices, but also that increased imports directly injure domestic producers.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Smoot-Hawley II?
yup....Bam if planted firmly in John Sweeney’s pocket and he can’t get out
“Smoot-Hawley II?”
Herbert Hoover II, most likely, and will, hopefully, be remembered at least as long and well!
Another Obama disaster in the making. They seem endless.
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