Fond du Lac congressman Tom Petri testified this week at a hearing of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), U.S. Representative Tom Petri (R-WI) testified on behalf of Wisconsin-based paper company Appvion, Inc., to support extending the countervailing duties on lightweight thermal paper from China and Germany. Petri was joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and U.S. Representatives Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Mike Turner (R-OH) at the hearing in Washington, D.C. “I am here to ask you to leave these duties in place,” Petri began. “The duties have allowed the U.S. industry to compete on an equal footing with producers in China and Germany which have dumped and subsidized their products in order to gain an unfair advantage in our market.” The duties have been in place for nearly six years, and Petri testified in 2008 at the original hearing which finalized these duties. “As I said six years ago, this case is about protecting a leading American manufacturer from the predatory trade practices of certain foreign competitors. American manufacturers, particularly those in Wisconsin, are ready, willing and able to compete globally. They welcome the opportunity to put their products up against those of other nations. But true competition is undercut when prices are subsidized or products are sold below cost in order to grab market share.” Petri noted that the countervailing duties promote fair competition, and have “allowed the company to improve lean manufacturing techniques, to adapt to changing market conditions, and to develop new products.” “It is notable that Appvion is wholly-owned by its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Program,” Petri continued. “The employee-owners of Appvion, many of whom are my constituents, are rightfully proud of their company. These employee-owners have invested their retirement assets in their company, literally staking their future well-being on the success of Appvion. They deserve the opportunity to compete fairly in this market.” The ITC hearing was held in advance of a ruling on whether or not to extend the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of lightweight thermal paper from China and Germany. The ITC is scheduled to vote on the matter on December 17
