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American steel jobs are in jeopardy.

A surge of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) imports, primarily from South Korea, is flooding the U.S. market. These foreign steel pipes are "dumped," priced below fair value and in deceptive ways are designed to circumvent international trade laws.

In July 2013, domestic steel producers filed a trade case that is now pending at the U.S. Department of Commerce. A final decision will be made in early- July 2014 and it is critical that our government fully investigates this cheating.

Stand with us and urge our government to make the right choice: save our steel jobs.

What are OCTG products?

Oil Country Tubular Goods, or OCTG, are the steel pipe products used in the extraction of oil and natural gas and play a critical role in our quest to become energy independent. Our oil and natural gas infrastructure should be built with American-made steel. Domestic producers use state-of-the-art technology and employ thousands of American workers who stand ready to do that if given a fair chance to compete.

Give U.S. workers a fair chance to compete.

#SOSJobs
Worker with hardhat

What's at Stake?

At a time of high demand for OCTG, the U.S. industry is being squeezed by dumped imports from South Korea and other nations. Failing to fully enforce our trade laws puts American jobs on the line and risks outsourcing the benefits of America’s energy boom. Thousands of workers will be left vulnerable.

  • OCTG imports doubled from 850,000 tons in 2010 to 1.8 million tons in 2012 ­ a 113% increase.
  • Dumped OCTG imports from South Korea accounted for half of that amount.
  • Foreign imports are often sold at hundreds of dollars per ton less than domestic OCTG products.
  • Domestic industry operating margins fell from 13.6% to 9.8%.

The United States has trade remedy laws that serve as the last line of defense for American firms and workers in the face of trade cheating. But when the rules are not effectively enforced, U.S. producers lose sales and profits that go into innovation, plant expansions, and hiring American workers.

U.S. workers deserve a fair shot. You can help.

Make your voice heard at a rally.

#SOSJobs

The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) is hosting rallies around the country featuring elected officials, workers, company executives, and other community stakeholders to highlight the jobs at stake and the importance of a level playing field for America's workers.

Date Location
May 5, 11 a.m. Lorain, Ohio
Featuring U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep Marcy Kaptur
May 16, 3 p.m. Granite City, Illinois
Featuring U.S. Reps. William Enyart and Rodney Davis
May 19, 11 a.m. Munhall, Pennsylvania
Featuring U.S. Senator Bob Casey and U.S. Reps Mike Doyle and Tim Murphy
June 2, 10 a.m. Lone Star, Texas
Featuring U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall
June 16, 3 p.m. Fairfield, Alabama
Featuring U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell, Spencer Bachus, and Robert Aderholt
June 23, 10 a.m. Virginia, Minnesota
Featuring Gov. Mark Dayton

All times are local.

What happens next?

The Department of Commerce will make a critical, final determination by July 10.

Tell your elected officials to make sure that our trade laws are fully enforced.

Let your voice be heard.

Take Action

Learn more from recent media coverage.

#SOSJobs

Laid off by trade inaction, workers speak for themselves.

The Wall Street Journal • February 19, 2014:

U.S. Steel spokeswoman Courtney Boone said the Department of Commerce had failed "to deal with important issues at this stage of the investigations." Mrs. Boone added that "when all of the facts come to light we are confident that we will prevail with respect to all countries and exporters in the final determinations." more

NASDAQ • March 26, 2014:

President and CEO Mario Longhi has joined forces with fellow steel industry executives and United Steelworkers' international president in pressing Congress to stop unfair trade practices and enforce America's trade laws so as to maintain the country's economic and national security. more

Longview News-Journal • April 7, 2014:

"The Commerce Department must fully investigate these activities, consider all of the facts, and determine whether—as so many of us believe—they are illegal,” Hall said. “It is important the department acts without delay—these products are important for all Americans because they boost our nation’s energy infrastructure and can help us achieve energy independence." more

Cleveland Plain Dealer • May 2, 2014:

"We're not looking for a handout," he said. "We just want a level playing field. If our employees have a level playing field, we'll come out on top. We are the best at what we do in the world." more

The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News • May 2, 2014:

"Enforcing our trade laws forces foreign producers to compete fairly, import their products legally, and create true market competition." more

Congressional Steel Caucus Testimony - March 25, 2014

Transcript: Testimony of Mario Longhi, President and Chief Executive Officer, United States Steel Corporation

View PDF

Transcript: Mr. Mike Rehwinkel, Executive Chairman, EVRAZ North America, Chairman, American Iron and Steel Institute

View PDF

View more coverage...

More resources.

#SOSJobs

AAM's detailed overview of this issue:

Jobs, Our Security, and Energy Independence: Framework for Action on South Korea OCTG Dumping (PDF)

Letter from Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman supporting Ohio workers producing OCTG - July 29, 2013:

View PDF

House letter led by Congressional Steel Caucus Chair Tim Murphy and Vice Chair Peter Visclosky - July 31, 2013:

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Joint letter to workers from United States Steel President Mario Longhi and United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard:

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