Levin, McDermott Applaud Obama Administration Action Against Illegal Chinese Export Subsidies for Autos and Auto Parts

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) applauded the Obama Administration’s initiation of a WTO case today against illegal Chinese export subsidies for auto and auto parts manufacturers.

LEVIN: “I commend the Obama Administration on launching this critical case against illegal Chinese export subsidies to its automotive sector. Obama has vigorously challenged China’s persistent failure to play by the rules, including doubling the rate of cases brought against China as compared to the last Administration. More needs to be done to rebalance this imbalanced relationship and the President has, through actions such as this, the Rare Earths case filed earlier this year, and the creation of government-wide International Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC), taken strong steps toward that objective.  Today’s action is the result of many months of hard work on the part of stakeholders and the Administration to collect relevant data and build a strong case, and it is a victory for American workers and businesses in this vital manufacturing sector.”

MCDERMOTT: “China’s export subsidies to its auto and auto parts manufacturers break WTO rules and hurt American workers and businesses. The Obama Administration’s action today to challenge these subsidies at the WTO is critically important, and central to the Administration’s consistent policy of not allowing China to game the system to the detriment of workers and businesses in this country.  I congratulate the Administration on building and prosecuting this important case.”

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