Press Releases
Wyden Statement on Commerce Decision to Investigate Surging Solar Panel Imports from China
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance's Subcommittee on Trade, Customs and Global Competiveness issued the following statement in response the U.S. Commerce Department's announcement that it has initiated an investigation into surging solar panel imports from China. "I welcome the Commerce Department's decision to launch an investigation into whether or not China is adhering to global trade rules. I don't want to pre-judge the Department's … Continue Reading
October 12, 2011
Wyden to President: Isn’t Congress Supposed to Approve International Trade Agreements?
Washington, D.C. - As the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) prepares to ratify an international agreement related to the enforcement of intellectual property rights, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) - chairman of the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Trade - sent a letter to President Obama today asking why the administration believes the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA) does not require Congress's formal approval. According to legal experts, cited by Wyden, if the USTR ratifies … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Wyden Recommends Actions to Combat Unfair Chinese Practices Crushing the U.S. Solar Industry
Washington, D.C. - The global market for renewable energy technologies is increasingly being dominated by Chinese manufacturers reaping the benefits of unscrupulous trade practices that give them an unfair competitive advantage against U.S. industries. This is a critical problem for the U.S. solar industry facing an expected 240 increase in the import of Chinese solar panels this year. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Trade, called on … Continue Reading
July 08, 2011
Wyden and Portman Call for US Leadership on Fixing Fisheries Subsidies at WTO Negotiations
Washington, D.C. - In advance of the final World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rob Portman (R-OH) sounded an alarm over the exploitation of fisheries and the global economic impact of fisheries subsidies in a letter to Ambassador Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative. Currently, more than 85 percent of the world's fisheries face exploitation, a 10 percent increase in the last four years according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization … Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
Bipartisan Coalition Introduces Bill to Give Customs the Discipline to Combat Trade Cheats
Washington, D.C. -As evidence mounts about the extent to which foreign exporters have been eager and willing to circumvent U.S. trade laws continues, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators have introduced legislation to create the discipline necessary at Customs and Border Protection to combat trade cheats and provide a fair playing field for U.S. manufacturers. The bill has been introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) the chair of the Senate Finance Committee's subcommittee on Trade, … Continue Reading
May 06, 2011
Senators, Business Leaders Underscore the Need to Enforce U.S. Trade Laws
Washington, D.C. - During a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Thune (R-SD), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and business leaders in U.S. manufacturing each vigorously expressed the need to better enforce U.S. trade law and investigate the foreign suppliers who consistently evade those laws. Wyden, … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011
Hearing to Examine: Why is Evading U.S. Trade Enforcement So Easy?
Washington, D.C. - Tomorrow, Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 2 pm in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will chair a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee's subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness to examine why federal agencies are having difficulty enforcing U.S. trade laws specifically those related to anti-dumping and countervailing duties. Click here to view the webcast. Exporters from countries like China have been … Continue Reading
April 01, 2011
Wyden Praises Conservation Proposal put forward by American Trade Negotiators
Washington, D.C. - In a welcome step forward this week, American negotiators in Singapore have put forward a trade proposal with robust environmental standards and solid enforcement provisions. During trade talks among Pacific Rim countries the USTR proposed to establish binding commitments to combat trade and commerce in illegally harvested wildlife and timber. It will require countries to combat trade and commerce in illegally harvested fish and reduce fishing subsidies that contribute … Continue Reading
March 21, 2011
Wyden Calls for Action Against Foreign Companies Violating Trade Laws
Portland, OR - Using clear evidence that foreign companies are brazenly ignoring U.S. trade laws, Senator Ron Wyden today called for stronger federal enforcement of duties on imported goods to save American jobs and American manufacturers. "We have laws intended to enforce fair trade, but they are no good if they aren't enforced," Wyden said. "Customs and Border Protection, which is the agency responsible for collecting the duties at the border, treats these allegations of duty evasion as if … Continue Reading
January 25, 2011
Wyden: Calls on President to Start Different Conversation on Trade
Washington, D.C. - Recognizing the unique opportunity President Obama has to highlight the importance of global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness, said he hopes that the president will use the State of the Union address to begin a candid dialogue about trade agreements. "The President has an opportunity tonight to speak candidly about the value of international … Continue Reading
August 01, 2007
"Combat Illegal Logging Act" Levels the Playing Field for American Business, Protects American Jobs and the Environment
Washington, D.C. - With the collective support of the timber and timber-products industry, organized labor, and the environmental community, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) today introduced the Combat Illegal Logging Act of 2007 in order to halt the trade of illegal timber and timber products. American manufacturers are increasingly struggling to compete with the low-priced wood and wood products being harvested from illegal sources and illegal logging is a source of severe environmental damage … Continue Reading
April 25, 2007
Wyden Applauds ITC Investigation into Possible Hardwood Plywood Abuses
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) today announced that the U.S International Trade Commission (ITC) has formally opened an investigation "into the competitive conditions affecting the U.S. wood flooring and hardwood plywood industries."Wyden, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, had requested that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus request the investigation by the ITC. Baucus did so in a February 28, 2007, letter. The ITC's report is due by June 6, 2008.Nearly … Continue Reading
April 06, 2007
Wyden Statement on Commerce Panel Vote on FTC Chair Nominee
Washington, DC - In a meeting of the Senate Commerce Committee today, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) voted against the nomination of Deborah P. Majoras, President Bush's nominee to head the Federal Trade Commission. Wyden also indicated today that he would maintain his procedural hold blocking a full Senate vote on her appointment to a full five-year term."I am disappointed that the Commerce Committee approved Ms. Majoras' nomination for a full term," said Wyden. "There is still no evidence … Continue Reading
April 04, 2007
Wyden Applauds Chairman's Decision to Formally Ask for Review of Possible Hardwood Plywood Abuses
Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon applauded Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus' decision to formally request that the International Trade Commission (ITC) conduct a review of the U.S. hardwood plywood and wood flooring industry. Nearly 2,000 Oregonians work in the hardwood plywood industry."I applaud Chairman Baucus' decision to request an International Trade Commission study to investigate unfair Chinese trade practices that are hurting U.S. hardwood plywood … Continue Reading
April 04, 2007
Wyden Applauds U.S. Trade Rep's Decision to Challenge Chinese Subsidies Hurting US Hardwood Plywood Industry
Washington, D.C. - Noting that approximately 70 percent of North America's hardwood plywood is manufactured by companies headquartered in Oregon, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today applauded the decision by U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab to file a World Trade Organization (WTO) case against China over prohibited subsidies that adversely affect the US hardwood plywood industry. Nearly 2,000 Oregonians work in the hardwood plywood industry. In separate letters in … Continue Reading
December 06, 2006
Wyden Calls for Investigation of Chinese Hardwood Plywood Issue, Says Practices Are Hurting U.S, Oregon Industries
Washington, D.C. Noting that approximately 70 percent of North Americas hardwood plywood is manufactured by companies headquartered in Oregon, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today called on three federal agencies to investigate alleged abuses by the Chinese that have greatly harmed the domestic hardwood plywood industry.Nearly 2,000 Oregonians work in the hardwood plywood industry.In separate letters to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
