The U.S. municipal castings industry has invested billions in new capability over the past ten years, deploying new technologies, improving quality and driving down costs as we compete in a global market. With a level playing field, MCA’s member companies can compete – and win – against anyone in the world. Unfortunately, massive global overcapacity, endemic dumping and foreign government subsidies all pose direct threats to U.S. producers.
Defending against unfairly-traded imports and the market-distorting policies that fuel them is a top priority for MCA. The association monitors international trade developments and trends and is a vigorous defender and user of our nation’s trade laws. We work closely with U.S. government officials as they negotiate with foreign governments – both bilaterally and through global trade policy organizations – to preserve and advance the competitive interests of the United States and to ensure a level playing field for U.S. manufacturers and companies.
Domestic Procurement Preferences Are Consistent with the International Trade Rules
The general rule under international law is that the United States and other members of the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) can favor their respective domestic suppliers over foreign suppliers of goods and services in government procurements. And they do. Annual reports by the United States Trade Representative reveal that many of our trading partners currently maintain a variety of governmental procurement restrictions that exclude the products and services of U.S. manufacturers.
Indeed, the United States has entered into a series of international agreements to commit itself to treat foreign suppliers no less favorably than it treats its own domestic suppliers (called “national treatment”), especially over the last twenty years. These international agreements principally include the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement (“GPA”) and a series of bilateral and regional trade agreements that also address government procurement – such as USMCA.
Further, provisions of law implementing domestic preference policies, like Section 70914(e) of BABA, acknowledge these requirements and require domestic preference policies be applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements.
Despite these agreements, U.S. courts have recognized that states are nonetheless permitted to impose domestic preferences where they are acting as market participants in government contracting.
Accordingly, states are free to require domestic preferences in their contracting and do not violate any obligations made under international agreements – even those dealing with government procurement.
Click here for a list of state “Buy America” statutes that apply to certain state-level government procurement.
The Positive Effects of Antidumping Orders
The Municipal Castings Fair Trade Council (which represents fifteen domestic producers of iron construction castings) found relief from unfair imports by filing antidumping and countervailing duty …
Enforcing American Trade Laws
Here is a list of active antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) case orders
Imports Regulated by Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
Here is a list of active antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) case orders