WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) issued the following statements today applauding the Obama Administration’s decision to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization challenging China’s rare-earth minerals policy:
LEVIN: “I commend the Administration for taking this action. Actions like this one will help to continue growth in American manufacturing jobs - including in key sectors such as advanced technology and clean energy. This is a significant step in the right direction as we do more to level the playing field for American workers. For starters, Congress needs to fully fund the President’s International Trade Enforcement Center to give the Administration the tools and resources to bring more cases like this one on rare earth export restraints. We also need to pass legislation immediately to dramatically increase financing for exports of American-made goods, as the Export-Import Bank is expected to reach its lending cap before the current short-term extension expires at the end of May. We need to renew two vital tax credits for advanced energy manufacturing. We need to pass legislation to stop Chinese exporters from evading U.S. antidumping laws. And we need to pass legislation to address China’s currency manipulation.
“The Administration is taking actions to help revitalize American manufacturing. Now Congress needs to do its part."
MCDERMOTT: “After many years of complacency, the United States is starting to assert itself and to challenge China’s systematically unfair approach to trade. I applaud the Administration for building an international coalition, with the Europeans and Japanese, to address these critical issues. This case will help to secure the future of American manufacturing, and I hope to see more cases like this one, as the President’s International Trade Enforcement Center ramps up."
