A trio of Illinois Republican lawmakers -- Reps. John Shimkus, Mike Bost and Rodney Davis -- recently sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker urging a meeting for discussing trade enforcement-related matters.
The meeting request comes in regard to U.S. Steel's recent announcement stating that it may temporarily idle operations at their Granite City Works facility.
Currently, three anti-dumping and countervailing duty petitions are before the International Trade Commission. This year, a provision that Bost and Davis introduced to protect American workers from illegal dumping of foreign products in U.S. markets was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
"Trade legislation signed in the law earlier this year included important anti-dumping and countervailing duties provisions authored by Reps. Bost and Davis," Shimkus said. "It's imperative that we get an update on the implementation of these provisions before the House considers any new trade agreement with countries that may have engaged in unfair trade practices."
Bost vowed to work together on behalf of Illinois steelworkers and their families to ensure what he calls a roller-coaster ride doesn't continue.
"Rep. Davis and I were successful in securing enhanced trade remedies to protect against illegal trade practices," Bost said. "I'm eager to hear from the Department of Commerce how these provisions will be implemented and help restore certainty and ensure that our efforts to put American workers on an even playing field in the global marketplace are successful."
Alerts Sign-up