A trade group representing U.S. firms doing business with China is calling on the Obama administration to provide an objective “fact-based” review of the effects of the high tariffs on Chinese consumer tires because it believes the tariffs haven't helped create U.S. jobs and instead have resulted in higher prices for consumers.
The U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of about 220 U.S. companies that do business with China, issued an open letter Aug. 25 to President Barack Obama, urging him to authorize the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to report on the effects of the tariffs on U.S. consumers and job creation.
“An objective report will provide needed clarity on how these types of tariffs affect our economy and whether they achieve the goals they were designed to meet,” USCBC President John Frisbie said in the letter.
The USCBC said it has found no evidence the tariffs have affected U.S. jobs positively, and conversely said it suspects the tariffs have had a negative economic impact on U.S. consumers.
In an issues brief posted on the USCBC's website, the group cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data that show employment in the tire manufacturing industry was down 10 percent in the first five months of 2010, to 49,800 workers.
The USCBC also cites import data showing that total imports of tires into the U.S. rose 21 percent by volume and 30 percent by value in the first half of 2010. China's share of the imports fell to 24 percent of the total in June from 45 percent a year earlier.
The trade group notes that the Section 421 statute requires that the ITC collect data on such issues so it can respond to requests for a review.
The 37-year-old USCBC states its mission is to “expand the U.S.-China commercial relationship to the benefit of its membership and, more broadly, the U.S. economy.” It said it favors “constructive engagement” with China to eliminate trade and investment barriers and develop a rules-based commercial environment that is predictable and transparent.
Coca-Cola Co. Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent chairs the council, which represents both big and small U.S. companies with business interests in China. Among its members are Apple Inc., General Electric Co., Microsoft Corp., Google Inc., Caterpillar Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.