Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Cincinnati, OH, 9/17/12
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Cincinnati, Ohio
10:43 A.M. EDT
MR. EARNEST: Good morning, everybody. Happy Monday. I have a couple of opening thoughts. I know Jen has got a couple of things that she wants to say, and then we’ll take your questions this morning.
This morning, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk’s office announced today that they’re filing a World Trade — a WTO enforcement action against China for illegally subsidizing their auto and their auto parts sectors. The practice of offering export-contingent subsidies is a clear violation of China’s WTO commitments and puts American workers at a clear and illegal competitive disadvantage.
As you recall, during his State of the Union address earlier this year, the President announced the creation of the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center, where resources, personnel and expertise from across the federal government were brought together to further strengthen efforts to advocate for American interests and American workers. Today’s announcement is a result of ITEC’s success in presenting well researched, well supported and thoroughly investigated cases before the WTO.
Today’s action will have particular resonance in the state of Ohio, where the auto parts sector employs more than 54,000 people directly, and where the auto industry as a whole supports 850,000 jobs in Ohio. This enforcement action, which has been months in the making, is only the latest in a series of actions taken by this President over the last three and a half years to ensure a fair and level playing field for American workers. As you’ve heard the President say, we welcome international competition from other countries, but will insist on a level playing field because we’ve got the most dedicated workers and the most innovative entrepreneurs, and fighting for them and advocating for them is one of the President’s top priorities.
MS. PSAKI: I just wanted to add, as I mentioned to you before we took off, you’ll be receiving excerpts I hope shortly. Today, in his remarks, the President will touch on the announcement, of course, that USTR made this morning. He’ll also talk about his
You can read the rest of this article at:: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/17/press-gaggle-principal-deputy-press-secretary-josh-earnest-en-route-cinc
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Posted by RobertButler
on Sep 17 2012. Filed under Barack Obama.
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