United Steelworkers (USW) President David McCall commented on the final plan released by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) aimed at addressing Chinese policies in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. The USW, in collaboration with labor organizations like the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Maritime Trades Department, had previously filed a trade petition encouraging the USTR to investigate and counter Chinese policies impacting U.S. shipbuilding.
McCall stated, “Almost exactly a year ago, the USW, alongside the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, filed a Section 301 trade petition calling for an investigation of Chinese shipbuilding and encouraging our trade representative to counter China’s predatory and protectionist policies that have contributed to the decimation of U.S. shipbuilding capacity.”
McCall emphasized concerns over U.S. maritime power, “We noted that U.S. maritime power was dangerously diminished while the Chinese Communist Party enacted a plan to further dominate the software and physical logistics systems that control commerce.”
He also mentioned the impact on workers, stating, “All of this came at the expense of tens of thousands of workers across the shipbuilding supply chain.”
The USTR’s investigation confirmed the concerns raised by these organizations. McCall highlighted the steps being taken to enhance U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, “The USTR’s thorough investigation validated our charges, and today’s announcement lays out a series of strong steps to restore U.S. shipbuilding capacity. Coupled with a recent Executive Order on shipbuilding, the USTR’s measures expand the arsenal to combat China’s policies.”
Addressing the broader implications, McCall commented, “It will clearly take a concerted effort and ongoing commitment to revitalize our capacity, strengthen our supply chains, launch vessels and ensure workers have the needed training to build and crew American-made ships. We will also need to consistently monitor our progress and adjust fees, sanctions and other trade remedies as needed.”
Reflecting on the duration of the process, he said, “This yearlong process now spans two administrations, and we look forward to continuing to work with both our trade representative and Congress to ensure a bipartisan, durable approach to revitalize American shipbuilding capacity.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers across various industries, including metals, mining, pulp and paper, and other sectors.
