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Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) Welcomes House Select Committee’s Bipartisan China Report and Calls for Legislative Action by Congress

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THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Dec. 12, 2023):

 

The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States (US) and the Chinese Communist Party (Select Committee) released its report for resetting America’s economic relationship with China.  The Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) welcomed the findings and recommendations for “common sense” actions to address the longstanding economic and technological disputes between the US and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).  CSUSTL called for prompt action by Congress to enact bipartisan legislation.  CSUSTL believes that for too long the US has allowed the PRC to break its promises and continue engaging in harmful unfair trade practices, resulting in millions of lost jobs across America and devastated local communities.

 

Among the 150 recommendations in the report, CSUSTL identified the proposals to strengthen the enforcement of U.S. trade remedy laws as critical components of the package for future congressional action.  In particular, the Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 (LTPF2.0) was introduced by US Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Todd Young (R-IN) in the Senate and US Representatives Bill Johnson (R-OH-6) and Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) in the House. LTPF2.0 would strengthen US trade remedy laws to protect US workers and combat China’s unfair, non-market trade practices that distort global trade.  For example, LTPF 2.0 would: 

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  • Address Chinese cross-border subsidies that are provided through policies such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative and that unfairly benefit foreign producers. 

  • Allow for quicker relief to injured U.S. companies and their workers in situations where, for example, Chinese companies rapidly shift production locations to another country to resume their unfair trade practices. 

  • Ensure that particular situations that distort foreign pricing or costs can be addressed in antidumping duty calculations. 

  • Provide a remedy for foreign currency manipulation. 

  • Ensure that importers maintain sufficient assets to pay duties owed to the US Treasury.

 

“The past two decades of robust engagement by the US with the PRC has failed to cause the PRC to address its illegal trade practices, and open its economy and financial markets”, said Tom Beline, of Cassidy Levy Kent LLP, and Chairman of CSUSTL’s Executive Committee.  “Passage of LTPF2.0, and the bipartisan package of changes proposed by the Select Committee, is a well thought out strategy through which Congress may address the serious threat posed by the PRC’s unfair trade to American manufacturers, farmers, workers, and communities throughout the country.”

 

CSUSTL is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states of the nation and is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 434 companies, unions and organizations representing 171 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

 

CONTACT:  Mark Benedict, President, Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL)

(540) 257-4224. 

​(540) 257-4224

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Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) Endorses Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act Legislation

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THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 16):

 

The Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) has endorsed bipartisan legislation to level the playing field for American workers.  The legislation was recently introduced by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Todd Young (R-IN) in the Senate; and US Reps. Bill Johnson (OH-6) and Terri Sewell (AL-07) in the House.  Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 would strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws to protect American workers and combat China’s unfair, anti-free market trade practices that distort the global market.

 

“This legislation will address ongoing problems we have with China and other nations practicing illegal and unfair trade practices.  It will be the most significant update of the trade remedy laws since completion of the Uruguay Round in the last century” said Tom Beline, CSUSTL Executive Chairman.  He continued, “On behalf of the hundreds of CSUSTL member organizations, and their hundreds of thousands of American workers, we commend these leaders for their successful effort to draft a bill that provides real world relief for local economies devastated by unfair trade practices.” 

 

CSUSTL endorsed the package, saying its technical corrections to existing trade remedy law will update the 100-year-old laws to vigorously address the realities of the 21st century.  The group has announced it will be conducting a national effort to obtain passage of the legislation in this Congress. 

 

CSUSTL is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states that is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 434 companies, unions and organizations representing 171 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

 

​CONTACT:  Mark Benedict, President, Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL)

​(540) 257-4224

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CSUSTL Applauds the Appointment of Assistant Secretary Lisa Wang

 

as the Head of Enforcement and Compliance at the U.S. Department

 

of Commerce

 

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 12):

 

Lisa Wang was sworn in earlier this week as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Enforcement and Compliance and will now oversee this division of the International Trade Administration that administers the U.S. antidumping and countervailing (AD/CVD) duty laws.

 

The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) applauds the decision by President Biden to nominate Ms. Wang for this key role, noting her prior service in defending U.S. trade remedy laws in various roles while serving at the Office of the US Trade Representative and at the Department of Commerce.

 

“Assistant Secretary Wang’s tireless energy and commitment to ensuring that our laws are effectively enforced will preserve the livelihoods of families across the nation against the illegal and widespread abuses of our international trading partners”, said John Herrmann, of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and Chairman of CSUSTL’s Executive Committee.  He continued, “The administration of the AD/CVD laws is a complicated and difficult task.  Lisa’s deep knowledge and understanding of these laws will ensure that the agency meets this demanding responsibility.”

 

The number of existing duty orders continues to grow substantially each year.  As of September 30, 2020, a total of 540 AD/CVD orders were being enforced.  This included 45 new AD/CVD orders above the prior fiscal year.  During this time, Commerce had initiated 104 new AD/CVD investigations, completing 56 of those investigations. 

 

CSUSTL’s Vice-Chairman Tom Beline, of Cassidy Levy Kent, said “The continued annual increases in AD/CVD orders creates a challenging environment for the Department of Commerce.  We look forward to supporting Assistant Secretary Wang in her efforts to effectively enforce the laws with the growing number of orders and limited agency resources.” 

 

CSUSTL has repeatedly worked with Congress, over the years, to increase funding for AD/CVD enforcement activities, most recently supporting efforts by both the House and Senate in FY22 to appropriate funds for the establishment of a ninth enforcement office at the agency.

 

CSUSTL is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states of the nation and is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 434 companies, unions and organizations representing 171 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

 

 

CONTACT:  Mark Benedict, President, Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL)

(540) 257-4224

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UNITED STATES SENATE

 

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 16, 2021

Contacts: Trudy Perkins/Rachael Hartford (Brown)

Mollie Timmons (Portman)

 

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Brown, Portman Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Trade Remedy Laws, Protect American Workers

 

Senators’ Bill Would Help Fight Back Against Unfair Trade Practices, Support Ohio Manufacturers and Their Workers

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Eliminating Global Market Distortions to Protect American Jobs Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws and ensure they remain effective tools to fight back against unfair trade practices and protect American workers. The Senators’ legislation would establish the new concept of “successive investigations” to improve the effectiveness of the U.S. trade remedy system in responding to repeat offenders and serial cheaters, helping to level the playing field for American workers.

 

“For too long, trade cheats have shuttered plants across our state, put Ohioans out of work, and distorted global markets,” said Brown. “This bipartisan

 

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CSUSTL APPLAUDS THE CONFIRMATION OF KATHERINE TAI AS UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

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THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 17, 2021):

 

The Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) applauds the United States Senate today for its voting 98-0 to confirm Ms. Katherine Tai as the United States Trade Representative (USTR).  CSUSTL has worked closely with Ambassador Tai, in her prior role as trade counsel, for the House Committee on Ways & Means, and during her service as chief counsel for China trade enforcement at USTR.

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CSUSTL SUPPORTS COMMERCE’S

PROPOSED REGULATORY CHANGES

TO THE ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY LAWS

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THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 14, 2020):

 

The Department of Commerce (DOC) has proposed a rule (Regulations to Improve Administration and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws: Proposed Rule; Request for Comments, 85 Fed. Reg. 49,472 (August 13, 2020)) to modify regulations under Title 19 to improve the administration and enforcement of the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) laws.  The rule is structured to assist Commerce in addressing “circumvention and evasion” of trade remedy actions. 

 

A review of the 33-page public notice by The Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) identified an assortment of new enforcement tools which CSUSTL believes will  permit more robust enforcement of the US AD/CVD laws by empowering the agency to efficiently pursue parties that attempt to evade the AD/CVD laws.  CSUSTL submitted comments in support of the regulatory changes declaring that the proposed rule will significantly improve the administration and enforcement of US trade remedy laws.

 

“We commend the Department for proposing this much needed update to the regulations, which addresses several longstanding issues with circumvention and evasion of the laws,” said Tim Brightbill, Chairman of CSUSTL’s Executive Committee. 

 

CSUSTL also urged the Department to promptly move forward with execution of the proposed changes, as originally proscribed in the Federal Register announcement, if the improvements are to be completed by the end of 2020. 

 

CSUSTL is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states of the nation and is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 429 companies and organizations representing 167 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

 

CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

(540) 257-4224

September 14, 2020

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U.S. Manufacturers and Producers

Support Commerce’s Proposed SIMA Changes

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THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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(Washington, DC, April 30) – The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) submitted comments, on April 29th, to the US Department of Commerce on the proposed rule to make changes to the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis system (“SIMA”).  CSUSTL strongly supports the changes to the regulations which would provide for a more effective and timely monitoring of import surges of specific steel products and aid in the prevention of transshipment of steel products.

 

“CSUSTL supports SIMA’s collection of information identifying where the steel used to manufacture a downstream product imported into the United States was melted and poured”, said Tim Brightbill who is the Chairman of the CSUSTL Executive Committee.  He continued, “It is critical to have a mechanism that is in place to help determine whether such steel imports are manufactured from dumped and subsidized steel inputs.”

 

Under the rule, the SIMA system would be used by Commerce to help execute the Trump Administration’s May 17, 2019 agreements with Canada and Mexico to remove the duties on steel products imposed pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.  The three countries agreed to prevent the importation of steel articles that are unfairly subsidized or sold at dumped prices, to prevent the transshipment of steel articles, and to monitor for and avoid import surges. 

 

Thomas Beline, Co-Chair of CSUSTL’s Lawyers Committee added that beyond identifying countries of melt and pour “CSUSTL encourages Commerce to require U.S. importers to identify each country where subsequent processing of the steel has taken place.”  He concluded “doing so ensures transparency and confidence in the reported data because it requires traders to acquire mill test certificates for each processing stage.”   

 

CSUSTL noted that the SIMA system has operated under its current authority since March 11, 2005, and based on its past effectiveness, the group supports the decision to extend SIMA indefinitely.

 

CSUSTL is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states of the nation and is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 429 companies and organizations representing 167 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

 

​CONTACT:  Mark Benedict, President, Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL)

​(540) 257-4224

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CBP Suspension of Collection of Duties On Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Orders

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To:  Honorable Commissioner Mark Morgan:

 

Thank you for your, and CBP’s, hard work during this difficult time.  It is much appreciated by our member companies, organizations, and workers across the nation.  I am writing as the President of the Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) regarding the possible suspension of the collection of duties on antidumping/countervailing duty orders. 

 

CSUSTL is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states of the nation and is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 429 companies and organizations representing 167 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

 

Please find attached a letter from CSUSTL concerning deliberations by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend the collection of duties on antidumping and countervailing duty orders, in response to the corona virus.  CSUSTL strongly opposes any suspension of duty collection under the trade remedy laws.  The letter sets forth our position and reasoning.

 

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.  If helpful, I am available to provide additional information on our group’s concerns. My direct cell phone number is 540-257-4224.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mark Benedict

President – Attorney At Law

Committee to Support US Trade Laws

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U.S. Manufacturers and Producers Strongly Oppose Proposed Deferral of Payment of Custom Duties

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THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

(Washington, DC, March 30) – The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) strongly opposes proposals that would result in the deferral of the payment of estimated duties, taxes, and fees to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

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In a letter to the Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mark A. Morgan, sent on March 23rd, CSUSTL explained that a broad deferral program allowing importers to avoid payment of trade remedies – including antidumping, countervailing, Section 232, and Section 301 duties – would have a devastating impact on trade-impacted industries and their employees throughout the country.  Many U.S. manufacturers, farmers, commercial fishermen, and other producers have currently shuttered their businesses or are operating at significantly reduced capacity.  Incentivizing the entry of imports into the U.S. market under these circumstances substantially increases the challenges faced by trade-affected domestic industries and threatens the livelihoods of millions of working women and men across the country.

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Moreover, any duty deferral program that included extensions on the payment of trade remedies would lead to massive non-payment of these duties.  As U.S. Customs and Border Protection has found, inadequate security for the payment of antidumping and countervailing duties at the time of import entry has led to billions of dollars in unpaid bills to the U.S. Treasury.  A deferral of a requirement to pay cash deposits at import entry would act as an invitation to foreign entities to act as importers of record for goods brought into the United States.  Once the deferral period ended, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would have no meaningful way to collect duties owed.

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For these reasons, CSUSTL calls upon President Trump to reject proposals for the deferral of payment of estimated duties, taxes, and fees.

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The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states of the nation and is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 429 companies and organizations representing 167 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

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​CONTACT:  Mark Benedict, President, Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL)

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​(540) 257-4224

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March 30, 2020

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CSUSTL ENDORSES FINDINGS IN USTR REPORT CRITICAL OF WTO APPELLATE BODY

 

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

(Washington, DC, February 13) – On Tuesday, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued its report on the World Trade Organization’s Appellate Body setting forth the Appellate Body’s failure to follow established procedures and the applicable standard of review.   USTR stated that the Appellate Body’s conduct “has converted the WTO from a forum for discussion and negotiation into a forum for litigation.”  More than one-quarter of all cases reviewed by the Appellate Body involved challenges to U.S. laws causing a disproportionate impact on the United States, its businesses and their workers.

 

The Committee To Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) strongly supports the findings of the report and commends Ambassador Lighthizer for documenting the “persistent overreaching” of the Appellate Body, which has been used to alter the United States’ commitments agreed to in the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding. 

 

“These longstanding problems with the WTO Appellate Body have weakened the ability of U.S. companies and workers to address trade law violations like dumping, subsidies, and distortions caused by state-owned enterprises,” said Tim Brightbill, chair of the CSUSTL Executive Committee.  “Now is the time to act on this bipartisan issue.”

 

Tom Beline, Co-Chair of CSUSTL’s Lawyers Committee, stated, “The USTR report provides a cogent explanation of how the Appellate Body has been used by Member States to achieve through dispute settlement that which cannot be achieved in treaty negotiations.”  He continued, “This comprehensive report provides crystal clear examples in specific cases of how the Appellate Body has altered substantively Member States’ obligations above and beyond any of the WTO Agreements’ text.”

 

CSUSTL supports a reassessment of the WTO and its role in resolving disputes between member nations because of the Appellate Body’s failure to comply with the WTO Agreements.  Since its inception the panel has been the venue of choice in attacking US trade remedy laws.  CSUSTL believes that WTO members need to address the underlying problems, as identified by USTR, to ensure a lasting reform of the dispute settlement system of the WTO.

 

The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) is a national organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals located in all 50 states of the nation and is committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL consists of 429 companies and organizations representing 167 industries, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere.

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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February 13, 2020

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CSUSTL SUPPORTS SPEEDY PASSAGE OF REVISED USMCA 

 

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

 (Washington, DC, December 14) -- The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) commends the work of the Administration, Congress, and United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, in completing work on the USMCA.   The agreement contains improvements that will benefit US companies and their workers.  A ratified USMCA will bring certainty and stability back into the marketplace between Canada, Mexico, and the US, affecting $1.4 billion worth of annual trade between the three countries.   CSUSTL supports ratification of the agreement and urges speedy passage in both Houses.  

 

The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) is an organization of companies, trade associations, labor unions, law firms and individuals committed to preserving and enhancing U.S. trade laws and supporting trade policies that benefit the United States-based productive economy.  CSUSTL’s members span multiple sectors, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, mining, energy, and services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the laws against unfair trade are not weakened through legislation or policy decisions in Washington, DC, in international negotiations, or through dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and elsewhere. 

 

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Baldwin, Capito, Stabenow, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Trade Cheating

 

 

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

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For Immediate Release

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov

              202-224-6225

 

Play by the Rules Act Holds China Accountable for Ignoring Trade Rules and Harming American Workers and Businesses

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced the bipartisan Play by the Rules Act to crack down on unfair trade cheating from nonmarket economies like China.

 

“China doesn’t play by the international trade rules they agreed to and they should be held accountable,” said Senator Baldwin. “This bipartisan legislation will give the Commerce Department the flexibility it needs to take stronger actions that protect American workers and businesses against China cheating.”

 

“Fair trade rules and policies are needed to protect U.S. jobs and promote economic growth in our country,” said Senator Capito. “Unfortunately, there are non-market economies that do not abide by free market forces to set prices, which ultimately puts our country at a disadvantage. That’s why it’s important that we hold those countries accountable when this happens. Doing so will ensure we are putting American jobs and the American economy first. I’m glad to team up with Senator Baldwin once again in introducing this bipartisan legislation that will provide the Commerce Department the flexibility it needs to hold bad actors accountable and ensure that our trade policies are followed and respected.”

 

“Our trade enforcement laws protect American workers and American jobs. When a bad actor like China circumvents our trade laws, they must be held accountable. The Play by the Rules Act would crack down on unfair trade practices and make sure American workers are competing on a level playing field,” said Senator Stabenow.

 

“The United States can outcompete any country in the world if the rules are applied the same to both countries,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This has not been the case between The United States and China, and it has hurt the American worker. We can do better.”

 

Our anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duty laws are designed to stop trade partners from tipping the scales in their favor and forcing American workers to compete at a disadvantage. These laws allow U.S. customs officials to collect duties on foreign imported products that are sold below market value or produced with unfair government subsidies.

 

AD/CVD rules are widely used and mostly followed by WTO members. However, nonmarket economies—like China—are engaged in a sophisticated and government-backed effort to avoid paying the duties required by these rules at the expense of American workers and businesses.

 

The Play by the Rules Act provides the Commerce Department additional flexibility when reviewing anti-circumvention petitions filed against nonmarket economies like China. This flexibility will allow Commerce to better combat China’s attempts to cheat our workers and businesses.

 

The Play by the Rules Act is supported by the United Steelworkers (USW), the Decorative Hardwood Association, the Committee to Protect U.S. Trade Laws, and Felker Brothers in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

 

“Our trade laws were designed to protect American jobs from unfair traders who dump illegally subsidized products into our markets. These laws must be constantly defended and improved as unfair traders attempt to circumvent the intent of our dumping laws. The Play by the Rules Act provides much needed flexibility for the Commerce Department to stop nonmarket economies like China from circumventing our trade rules and threatening American jobs. I thank Senators Baldwin, Capito, Cassidy, and Stabenow for their leadership on this legislation,” said Tom Conway, USW International President.

 

“The Chinese government has subsidized plywood dumped by Chinese companies into American markets injuring American companies and their workers. When the U.S. government acted and assessed anti-dumping duties, American companies were able to re-hire workers in Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, and West Virginia. But China is circumventing these lawful duties, threatening to undo our progress. Senator Baldwin’s legislation provides the Commerce Department with the tools we need to crack down on trade cheating from China. We fully support her efforts and thank her for her work,” said Kip Howlett, President of the Decorative Hardwood Association.

 

“The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) strongly supports the U.S. trade laws and recognizes that they ensure a level playing field for all parties impacted by unfair trade. The introduction of the Play by the Rules Act of 2019 reiterates the importance of having the appropriate trade tools available to remedy persistent trade distorting practices. We thank Senator Baldwin and her colleagues for their leadership and commitment to this issue.”

 

“For too long Wisconsin manufacturers like me have been forced to compete with unfairly subsidized Chinese imports. While our antidumping laws can create a level playing field for American companies to compete, China is always seemingly finding new ways to circumvent our trade rules. Senator Baldwin’s Play by the Rules Act gives the Commerce Department new flexibility to address Chinese circumvention and save Wisconsin jobs,” said David Hendrickson of Felker Brothers in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

 

More information about the Play by the Rules Act is available here.

 

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CSUSTL FILES AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF WARNING SUNPREME DECISION CREATES MEANS FOR EVADING PAYMENT OF LAWFUL AD/CVD DUTIES

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

(Washington, DC, August 12) – CSUSTL filed earlier today an amicus brief in support of the government’s petition for rehearing and/or rehearing en banc at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in the Sunpreme Inc. v. US case (Ct. No. 18-1116).  The CAFC rejected Sunpreme’s arguments that the order...

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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August 12, 2019

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WTO APPELLATE BODY DISSENT CLAIMS OVERREACH IN DECISION ABOUT DUTIES ON CHINESE GOODS

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

(Washington, DC, July 19) – On July 16, 2019, the WTO Appellate Body (AB) released its report concerning issues developed in the Panel Report, “United States – Countervailing Duty Measures on Certain Products from China – Recourse to Article 21.5 of the DSU by China (Panel Report)”.   The AB recognized that the US had demonstrated that China used...

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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July 19, 2019

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CSUSTL SUBMITS COMMENTS REGARDING CURRENCY MANIPULATION

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

(Washington, DC, June 28) – The Committee To Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL) has submitted comments in response to a proposed rule by the Department of Commerce that would, in part, clarify how ITA determines the existence of a benefit resulting from a subsidy in the form of currency manipulation and undervaluation...

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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June 28, 2019

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TIM BRIGHTBILL TAKES HELM AS CSUSTL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

(Washington, DC, January 10) — The Committee to Support US Trade Laws (CSUSTL), Washington DC, has named Tim Brightbill as Chairman of the CSUSTL Executive Committee, which is the governing body of the organization...

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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January 10, 2019

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CSUSTL PRAISES ADMINISTRATION FOR EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF U.S. TRADE REMEDY LAWS IN ALUMINUM SHEET CASE

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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(Washington, DC, December 12) — Today, the U.S. International TradeCommissions (USITC) reached a unanimous determination to finalize anti-dumpingand countervailing duties on imports of common alloy aluminum sheet ...

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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December 12, 2018

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CSUSTL APPLAUDS USCMA DUTY EVASION VERIFICATION PROCEDURE AS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR DUTY ENFORCEMENT

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

 (Washington, DC, October 18) — The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) welcomes provisions included in Chapter 10 of the United States, Mexico, Canada, Agreement (USMCA) creating new procedures t...

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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October 18, 2018

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CSUSTL WELCOMES COMPLETION OF ‘USMCA’

 

THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT U.S. TRADE LAWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

(Washington, DC, October 1) — The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) welcomes the announcement by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer of the completion ...

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CONTACT:  Mark Benedict

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(540) 257-4224

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October 1, 2018

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