Medium/heavy truck tire imports from China are not subject to the new tariffs imposed by President Barack Obama on Chinese tires. Only consumer tire imports are affected.

Now we wait. United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk has given President Barack Obama his office’s recommendations on the Chinese tire import case. The president has until Sept. 17 to make a final ruling.

The original labor contracts between the "Big Three" tire companies and the United Steelworkers have expired. Does that mean anything?

The United Steelworkers believe that Chinese imports are out of countrol. That is why the USW (which technically stands for the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union) filed a petition with the United States International Trade Commission asking for relief.