Neal Statement on Biden Administration’s Action to Protect Steelworkers from China’s Unfair Practices

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement applauding the Biden Administration for initiating a Section 301 investigation into China's unfair trade practices in the maritime industry:

"With our historic leadership on domestic manufacturing and success in building out domestic supply chains, Democrats are returning American workers to their rightful place at the center of our economy. We've built the strongest economy in the world, and the next step is ensuring American workers and businesses have the tools they need to compete in the global economy. Today's news that the Biden Administration is launching an investigation into China's unfair practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries is another proof point that President Biden puts American workers first and even more evidence of the strength of labor in moving these critical conversations forward.

"This announcement underlies the importance of creating the national shipbuilding strategy I called for earlier this year, which will help grow our economy and bolster our national security. America's history as an economic superpower started on the high seas, and President Biden has made it clear that bringing the shipbuilding sector and the good-paying jobs it creates back to our shores is the next step to investing in America. Ways and Means Democrats stand ready to work with the Biden Administration and Ambassador Tai as the investigation moves forward."

Earlier this year, Ranking Member Neal announced his work on formulating a national commercial shipbuilding strategy, as well as applauded the labor unions for filing this petition.