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Thursday, April 30, 2009

China Flooding U.S. with Tire Imports --
Senator Gillibrand Urges Immediate
Hearing to Protect New York Jobs
Import Surge Forced Jobs Losses In Tonawanda And Additional Jobs Remain In Jeopardy
April 30, 2009
Washington, D.C. - As China floods the U.S. with tire imports, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today urged the International Trade Commission to immediately hold a hearing on this issue. The United Steelworkers' (USW) has filed a case under Section 421 of U.S. trade laws to address rising imports of tires from China. In Tonawanda, Goodyear Dunlop Tires was forced to offer a buyout package to its 1,110 employees to scale back production due to the increase in imports. Additional jobs remain in jeopardy without government action.
"Over the last four years, tire imports from China have increased by more than 200 percent in volume and close to 300 percent in value. This dramatic increase in imports - close to 46 million tires - has disrupted the market for many of our domestic tire manufacturers, affecting jobs in New York and across the country," said Senator Gillibrand "I hope that the International Trade Commission will provide an expeditious hearing of the United Steelworkers case, and that the Administration upholds its responsibility to fairly enforce our trade agreements."