U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, representing West Virginia, commended the U.S. Department of Commerce for its recent announcement regarding the findings on imports of tin mill products. The Department revealed that such imports from China, Germany, and South Korea are being unfairly priced or dumped into the U.S. market. Additionally, it noted that imports of tin mill products from China are being subsidized.
In response to these findings, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will now assess whether the domestic steel industry has suffered significant harm due to these unfairly traded imports.
Senator Manchin expressed his appreciation for the Department of Commerce’s action, emphasizing the need to prevent illegal dumping of tin mill products in the United States. He highlighted the importance of ensuring a level playing field for West Virginia in the competitive landscape. Senator Manchin urged the International Trade Commission to thoroughly examine all available evidence, emphasizing the necessity of fair competition within the steel industry. He expressed hope that the ITC, upon completing its review, would make an affirmative finding of injury to address the challenges faced by the domestic steel industry.
The duties on imports of tin mill products from China were announced by the Commerce Department in response to a case brought by Cleveland-Cliffs and United Steelworkers. Cleveland-Cliffs, a key player in the industry, warned of potential facility closure in Weirton, West Virginia, if the ITC does not approve duties on the imports.
Senator Manchin’s recent efforts to protect Cleveland-Cliffs and United Steelworkers from illegally dumped and subsidized imports included testifying before the ITC on January 4, 2024, in support of anti-dumping and countervailing duty petitions on imported tin mill products. Additionally, he toured the Cleveland-Cliffs tin mill facility in Weirton in September 2023, reinforcing support for the domestic steel industry.
The Senator has consistently advocated for the industry, expressing support after Cleveland-Cliffs announced layoffs in May 2023 due to dumped and subsidized imports. On February 2, 2023, he voiced support for the antidumping and countervailing duty petitions filed by Cleveland-Cliffs and the United Steelworkers.