USTR Initiates
Section 301 Investigation on China Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding
Sectors for Dominance
·
Petition
filed with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) by AFL-CIO led five
national labor unions
The
United States Trade Representative announced today that after review of a petition filed with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
(USTR) by AFL-CIO led five national labor unions, USTR is initiating an investigation of acts, policies,
and practices of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) targeting the maritime, logistics,
and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
“The
petition presents serious and concerning allegations of the PRC’s longstanding efforts
to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, cataloguing the PRC’s
use of unfair, non-market policies and practices to achieve those goals. The allegations
reflect what we have already seen across other sectors, where the PRC utilizes a
wide range of non-market policies and practices to undermine fair competition and
dominate the market, both in China and globally,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai.
“I pledge to undertake a full and thorough investigation into the unions’ concerns.”
As
explained in a formal notice, USTR is seeking public comments and will hold a public
hearing in connection with this investigation.
On
March 12, 2024, five national labor unions filed a petition
requesting an investigation into the acts, policies, and practices of the PRC targeting
the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. The five petitioner
unions are:
·
the
United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied
Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO CLC (“USW”);
·
the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (“IAM”);
·
the
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths,
Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO/CLC (“IBB”);
·
the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”); and
·
the
Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO (“MTD”).
The
petition was filed pursuant to Section 302(a)(1) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. § 2412(a)(1)),
requesting action pursuant to Section 301(b) (19 U.S.C. § 2411(b)). A Section 301(b)
investigation examines whether the acts, policies, or practices are unreasonable
or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. After consideration of the
petition and on the advice of the Section 301 Committee, the United States Trade
Representative has initiated an investigation. The U.S. Trade Representative must
seek consultations with the foreign government whose acts, policies, or practices
are under investigation. USTR has requested consultations with the People’s Republic
of China in connection with the investigation.