The United Steelworkers (USW) union and several labor organizations have urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to maintain trade relief measures targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. The request comes after the administration announced a pause on remedies introduced earlier this year following an investigation that linked Chinese trade practices to the decline of U.S. shipbuilding capacity.
In comments submitted on November 7, the USW, joined by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), highlighted bipartisan support for efforts to limit Chinese dominance and restore domestic shipbuilding.
The unions stated, “Yet, after months of strong rhetoric about the need for a comprehensive approach to rebuilding American maritime strength, workers, shipyards, and our broader economic and national security interests are once again being sidelined in favor of short-term considerations.” They continued, “Following this retreat, workers who know all too well the boom-and-bust nature of American shipbuilding are again being pushed aside, even as new commercial orders—worth billions of dollars—flow back into Chinese shipyards.”
Earlier this year in March 2024, these unions filed a Section 301 trade petition pointing out significant job losses across the U.S. shipbuilding supply chain.
They added in their recent comments: “The United States cannot afford to retreat again. Now is the time to act.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in various industries including metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and energy production. The union also includes members working in health care, public sector roles, higher education, technology and service occupations.
