TIA urges rejection of proposed Chinese tire import quotas.
Press Release Summary:
In letter to President Obama, TIA urged rejection of U.S. International Trade Commission's finding concerning imposition of import duties on all passenger and light truck tires imported from China. TIA believes that proposed remedy would not protect U.S. manufacturing jobs, would create market disruption, and would result in higher prices and less options for consumers. If consumers do not have access to affordable tires, they may defer replacing tires, creating potential hazard.
Original Press Release:
TIA Sends Letter To President Obama Urging Rejection Of Proposed Chinese Tire Import Quotas
Bowie, MD - The Tire Industry Association (TIA), one of the leading global authorities on tires, sent a letter on July 10 to President Obama urging him to reject the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)'s finding concerning the imposition of import duties on all passenger and light truck tires imported from China. A copy of the letter was also sent to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk.
The letter reiterated TIA's opposition to this remedy, which is being proposed by the USTR. This includes TIA's belief that the proposed remedy:
Would not protect U.S. manufacturing jobs;
Would result in higher prices and less options for consumers, and would be especially punitive, given the current economic climate;
Would create a market disruption;
Could prove dangerous, for if consumers do not have access to affordable tires, they may defer purchasing needed replacement tires for their vehicles, thus creating a potential hazard on America's roads.
"TIA strongly encourages President Obama to reject this, and all other ill-conceived proposals concerning the importation of tires manufactured in China. The bottom line is that it won't help American workers, and it will only harm American consumers and tire dealers, many of whom are hard-working, independent businesspeople," said TIA President Roy Littlefield. Littlefield went on to stress TIA's long-standing position that all tires - regardless of country of origin - should be held to the same rigorous Federal safety standards, including tires manufactured in China.
About TIA:
TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.
