USW Seeks Tariffs on Bus and Truck Tires From China

The United Steelworkers (USW) union has filed yet another petition asking the U.S. government to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on tires manufactured in China. This time, the union is targeting truck and bus tires.

The petition was filed Jan. 29, 2016.

In it, the USW cites import data from the International Trade Commission (ITC), which points to an increase of more than 650,000 tires imported in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

As the petition notes, "the volume of subject imports from China is significant by any measure.

"From 2012 to 2014, the U.S. imported from 6.3 million to 8.4 million truck and bus tires a year from China, valued at close to over a billion dollars each year. China exported more tires to the U.S. than all other countries combined throughout the period."

In the latest Modern Tire Dealer Facts Issue, published in January 2016, MTD estimated U.S. truck tire imports from China for 2015 at 9.4 million, up 14.6% from the previous year.

The petition covers all truck and bus tires with a “TR,” “MH” or “HC” suffix, as well as all tires listed in the “Truck-Bus” section of the Tire and Rim Association Year Book. Like the petition seeking tariffs on OTR tires from China, Sri Lanka and India, the truck and bus petition includes tires whether or not they’re mounted on wheels. The only truck or bus tires excluded from the petition are recycled and retreaded tires, and non-pneumatic tires, such as solid rubber tires.

The USW is asking the ITC to gather and compare prices on four sizes of tires:

11R22.5 (14 or 16 plies, load range G or H, any speed rating)

11R24.5 (14 or 16 plies, load range G or H, any speed rating)

295/75R22.5 (14 plies, load range G, any speed rating)

285/75R24.5 (14 plies, load range G, any speed rating)

In its petition, the USW says it represents workers at truck and bus tire production facilities in the U.S. Those plants are operated by Bridgestone Americas Inc. and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Additional truck and bus tires are produced by non-union workforces for Continental Tire the Americas in Mount Vernon, Ill., General/Yokohama in Mount Vernon, Ill., and Michelin North America Inc. in Spartanburg, S.C.