After Effort From Klobuchar and Coats, the International Trade Commission to Investigate Unfair Trade Practice by Chinese Steel Producers and Distributers

Press Release

Following an effort by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Dan Coats (R-IN), the International Trade Commission (ITC) announced it will investigate unfair trade practices by Chinese steel producers and distributers. U.S. Steel's Section 337 complaint against 40 Chinese based steel companies includes allegations of illegal conspiracy to fix prices and control output and export volumes; the theft of trade secrets by industrial espionage; and the circumvention of hard won duties ordered by the ITC and Department of Commerce by false labeling and transshipment. Due to the recent downturn in steel production in the U.S., more than 12,000 hardworking Americans have been laid off. Following a bipartisan letter from Klobuchar and Coats earlier this week to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the Administration announced it will initiate an investigation.

"Unfair trade practices by Chinese steel producers and distributors have harmed our domestic industry and left many workers on the Iron Range without a job to support their families," said Klobuchar. "I'm pleased the Administration has heeded our bipartisan call to action and will be launching an investigation to crack down on these foreign companies that try to skirt our laws."

"Given a level playing field, American steel producers will compete and win against the best that the rest of the world has to offer," said Coats. "We cannot allow foreign competitors to circumvent our laws in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage. I applaud the ITC for heeding the call led by Senator Klobuchar and me to investigate these troublesome allegations."

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