AAM: Trump 'fails' U.S. workers in China visit

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump did nothing to help U.S. manufacturing workers during his trip to China, according to the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM).

Mr. Trump's state visit to Asia culminated in a visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During that visit, Messrs. Trump and Xi attended a signing ceremony Nov. 8 announcing more than $250 billion in contracts for U.S. business ventures in China, including companies such as General Electric Corp. and Boeing Corp.

While the contracts were viewed positively in the U.S., the AAM and other organizations said they were far from enough to redress the trade deficit with China.

"President Donald Trump went easy on Chinese leadership by blaming the nearly $300 billion trade deficit on past U.S. administrations," the AAM said Nov. 9.

AAM President Scott Paul said he was bitterly disappointed by the president's inaction.

"Business deals are always welcome, but there are no substitutes for firmer U.S. policy toward China, or for demanding more from China's leaders on economic reform," Mr. Paul said.

"While [Mr.] Trump is not wrong for pointing the finger of blame back to the United States for negotiating poor agreements and providing lax enforcement, that finger is now pointed at him," he said.

Mr. Paul urged Mr. Trump to complete the Section 232 investigations of steel and aluminum imports, which have the potential to levy tariffs on those imports.

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to exempt tire-grade steel cord, rod and bead wire from the investigation.

Placing tariffs on tire-grade steel would create a hardship for U.S. tire manufacturers, because virtually all of such steel is imported, the USTMA said.