WASHINGTON  (Sept. 16, 2014) —

Thirty-one  U.S. senators have sent a joint letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker,  

supporting  the agency’s decision to initiate an investigation based on the United  Steelworkers (USW) union’s petitions for

countervailing and antidumping duties  against passenger and light truck tires imported from  China.

The senators  praised President Barack Obama’s September 2009 decision to institute three  years’ worth of high tariffs against

Chinese  tires under Section 421 of the Trade Act.

“The relief  that was provided helped to restore market conditions,” the senators wrote in  their Sept. 15 letter.

“Employment  stabilized and companies producing here invested billions of dollars in new  plant and equipment.”

But Chinese  imports skyrocketed again after the tariffs ended in 2012, the senators said,  and the USW’s June petitions were the only effective  response.

“America’s  laws against unfair trade are a critical underpinning of our economic policies  and economic prosperity,” they wrote.

“Given the  chance, American workers can out-compete anyone. But, in the face of China’s  continual targeting of our manufacturing base,

we need to  make sure that we act quickly and enforce our laws.”

USW  International President Leo W. Gerard issued a press release the same day,  praising Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C.,

who  instigated the letter, and the other signatories.

“Today’s  letter demonstrates strong support nationally for the fair trade case made by  American tire workers,” Mr. Gerard said.

“China’s  unfair trade practices are undermining the growth of the U.S. tire industry and  inhibiting other opportunities to the domestic economy.”

The  International Trade Commission (ITC) found 6-0 on Aug. 15 that there is “a  reasonable indication”

that Chinese  tire imports are causing material injury to the U.S. tire industry.  

The  decision was published in the Aug. 21 Federal Register. Final determinations  from Commerce and the ITC are expected early next year.