In a bold stance against what they call the Chinese shipbuilding industry's unfair trade practices, Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have thrown their weight behind the United Steelworkers and other unions. The bipartisan duo is pressing the Biden Administration to enlist an investigation into the People's Republic of China's actions that they say undercut American workers and threaten the nation's security. "To protect the American steel industry, our workers, and our jobs, we've got to crack down and hold China accountable," Senator Casey expressed in a news release.
USW took a proactive step by filing a petition under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, prompting a full investigation into China's maritime and shipbuilding sectors. This move, supported by the senators, also found them participating at a press conference and co-signing a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, arguing for immediate action. According to a statement obtained by Sen. Casey's official Senate page, the United States has witnessed a startling decline in domestic shipbuilding capacity, attributing to Chinese aggressive subsidies that have enabled their state-owned enterprises to produce over a thousand ocean-going vessels annually. In contrast, the US now struggles to make fewer than ten.
Amidst the growing tension over trade practices, Senator Baldwin did not hold back her criticism. "Over the last two decades, China has tried to rig the system with unfair trade practices in the shipbuilding industry – hurting American workers, American shipbuilders, and our national security," Baldwin stated. The senators' joint advocacy signals a clear intent to shelter American industry from external threats and preserve jobs stateside.
It is not just shipyards at stake; there is a deeper element hitched to the national security and economic robustness of the nation. With over 25,000 domestic shipbuilding suppliers having exited the U.S. market in the past two decades, the manufacturing landscape has been irrevocably altered, as highlighted by Sen. Baldwin's remarks. USW International President David McCall stood united with the legislative push, emphasizing the need for revitalization of the infrastructure and supply chains to ensure the country's security and job creation.
Known for his staunch backing of Buy America standards, Senator Casey has maintained a consistent record concerning domestic manufacturing. His voting against the resolution to relax Buy American standards for electric vehicle (EV) chargers and his contribution to the passage of the Build America, Buy America Act, as well as the Inflation Reduction Act, reflects his steadfast commitment. Within these legislative frameworks lies an underlying theme: bolstering American steel, iron, and manufacturing industries to safeguard not just jobs but a way of life on American soil.
