Legislation Introduced to ‘Level the Playing Field’ for US Workers

WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation was introduced Wednesday to help American companies and workers fight back against unfair competition.

The Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 Act would “strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws to protect American workers and combat China’s unfair, anti-free market trade practices that distort the global market,” a news release states. 

The legislation was introduced by U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, Terri Sewell of Alabama, D-7th, Frank Mrvan of Indiana, D-1st, and Beth Van Duyne of Texas, R-24th.

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Todd Young, R-Indiana.

“China’s communist regime continues taking deliberate steps that are hurting American workers and our economy by dumping steel, aluminum and other products on the global markets with no repercussions. That must end,” Johnson said. “This bipartisan legislation will hold China accountable for these actions by ensuring that U.S. industries and the Department of Commerce have needed tools to seek relief from China’s illegal actions.”

The legislation has support from the American Iron and Steel Institute and the United Steelworkers.

“By strengthening the effectiveness of the U.S. trade laws, this bill will help give the American public confidence that their government has every tool available to fight for a level playing field for the American steel industry and our workers,” said Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute.

Pictured at top: U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson answers questions from The Business Journal.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.