CANTON, OH –Today, U.S. Congressman John Boccieri (D-Alliance) announces strong support for U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk's decision to investigate China's trade practices affecting clean energy technologies. This decision comes in a response to a petition filed by the United Steel Workers regarding unfair and discriminatory trade practices designed to expand Chinese green technology producers at the expense of U.S. based producers.

"Clean energy will grow the manufacturing jobs of the future," said Boccieri "Ohio can't afford to let China continue ignoring international trade law to enjoy an unfair advantage. U.S. Trade Representative Kirk's decision to listen to the concerns of Congress and the United Steel Workers and investigate these practices will help retain and create new jobs here in Ohio."

"By accepting this petition, the United Steelworkers filed against China's predatory and protectionist policies, it sends the message that America is not going to stand by while our jobs get outsourced," said Dave McCall, Director of the United Steelworkers 1st District. "China and all of our trading partners need to understand we want fair trade and we're not going to allow unfair and illegal practices to deny our farmers, workers and businesses the opportunity to compete globally on a level playing field."

The investigation will consider whether acts, policies, and practices of the Chinese government deny U.S. rights or benefits under the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of 1994, under the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures Agreement (SCM Agreement), and under China's Protocol of Accession to the WTO.

On September 28, 2010, Congressman Boccieri joined 181 Members of the House of Representatives in a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to address China's unfair trade practices that benefit its green technology manufacturers and disadvantage America competitors. The letter highlighted the need for the Administration to strengthen its efforts by taking action on the basis of the Steelworkers' Section 301 petition and by ensuring that USTR has the resources and personnel it needs to target these practices aggressively and comprehensively.

Release Date: Monday, October 18, 2010.