January 5, 2010

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to support TMK IPSCO’s petition for relief from imports of drill pipe and drill pipe collars from China. If the ITC rules that the artificially low prices of Chinese drill pipe imports have caused material injury to TMK IPSCO and other U.S. companies, the U.S. Department of Commerce will be able to impose duties on these imports. Congressman Altmire’s district contains two TMK IPSCO facilities in Ambridge and Koppel, Pennsylvania.

“In western Pennsylvania, steel production has been a pillar of our economy for decades,” Congressman Altmire said. “To strengthen our economy, we must continue to vigorously enforce our trade laws so that American companies can fairly compete worldwide and create jobs here at home.”

TMK IPSCO made substantial investments in its pipe mill in Ambridge so that it could produce two additional sizes of unfinished drill pipe. Recently, the company’s business has been eroded by unfairly traded Chinese imports of drill pipe. With an affirmative ITC ruling, TMK IPSCO and other domestic manufacturers would once again have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

Congressman Altmire previously testified before the ITC in support of domestic manufacturers’ petitions for relief from Chinese oil country tubular goods and seamless pipe imports. Both cases were ultimately decided in favor of the domestic steel manufacturers, providing them with the relief needed to compete, rehire laid-off workers, and create jobs.

You can read the full text of Congressman Altmire’s testimony by clicking here.