Sander Levin : Levin Statement on China WTO Aluminum Complaint

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Sander Levin (MI-09) today issued the following statement regarding USTR's announcement that they were filing a World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint on China's subsidies to aluminum producers:

'The Obama Administration has put together a strong WTO action to address overcapacity in China's aluminum industry which is unfairly propped up and promoted through underpriced loans and illegal government subsidies.

'This aluminum case is a vivid example of the harmful impact of unfair trading practices. It is estimated that the U.S. has lost 6,600 jobs in this industry as the number of smelters operating in our country has gone from 14 to 5 in the last eight years. These are the jobs of fellow citizens in communities across our country trying to support their families, send their kids to college and prepare for their futures. Their distress harms their community and major regions of our country. A strong domestic aluminum and steel industry is vital to our manufacturing base.

'China's entry into the World Trade Organization was intended to provide the tools to end their numerous manipulations of the global marketplace, but that will only happen if the U.S., the WTO and all countries involve insist they live up to their obligations. Congress must intensify its role in ensuring this is the case. And because China's overcapacity in aluminum and steel is also driven by other factors than those issues covered in this WTO case, additional action will be required in the months ahead.'

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