WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins is cosponsoring a resolution urging the United States to reject any proposal that could weaken domestic trade remedy laws during the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. Senator Collins is concerned that proposals by some WTO members would drastically change these agreements, weakening trade remedy laws that currently protect the U.S. industry from unfair trade practices. Many industries in Maine -- from softwood lumber to furniture -- use the trade remedy laws to fight the illegal practices of foreign competitors such as China. Senator Collins is the leading sponsor of a bill that would revise current trade remedy laws to ensure that countries such as China and Vietnam are subject to U.S. rules regarding illegal subsidies.
"I hear from manufacturers in my state time and time again whose efforts to compete successfully in the global economy simply cannot overcome the practices of illegal pricing and subsidies. The results of these unfair practices are lost jobs, shuttered factories, and decimated communities. Our trade remedy laws give U.S. manufacturers the tools to fight back," Senator Collins said.
The Antidumping Agreement and the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures are among the measures to be negotiated during the December WTO meeting.
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