U.S. ITC Ruling Due on Chinese Import Tire Surge

In a major trade safeguard case against Chinese tire imports, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will announce on June 18 whether such imports are a significant cause of material injury, or threat of material injury to the domestic industry producing passenger vehicle and light truck tires. Under the statute, such a finding is called 'market disruption.' The ruling is an important step in an expedited proceeding that was initiated by a petition filed April 20 by the United Steelworkers (USW) under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974. At a June 2 public hearing, Leo W. Gerard, International President of the USW and ten Members of Congress made a strong case saying an import surge has caused a sharp decline in U.S. production and the loss of thousands of U.S. jobs. The USW argued that job losses will continue if import relief is not provided. Should the ITC determine that the industry is injured by the Chinese imports, it will then vote on a remedy on June 29. Following that step, the ITC will present its report and recommendation to President Obama on July 9. The President's decision for a remedy on China tire imports is due in mid-September.