Retread Instead promotes pro-tariff lobbying actions

Retread Instead, a US coalition of retread industry supporters, is requesting industry members extend their letter writing campaign that supports imposing tariffs, antidumping duties and countervailing duties on Chinese truck and bus tyres that are imported into the US.

Retread Instead was created to increase awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of retreading throughout North America and launched a letter campaign to US senators at the beginning of the year. The campaign’s goal is to “educate and inform senators about the urgency of making sure that the US International Trade Commission has a full complement of commissioners to ensure fair and balanced determinations”.

Since the launch of the campaign, commerce slots have been filled and one of the USITC commission appointments has now been confirmed. There are now three USITC commission nominees who have yet to have a hearing.

With nominees pending, Retread Instead recently invited industry members to planning meeting to gain support and resources to keep the letter campaign going.

Marangoni Tread NA hosted the meeting that was attended by representatives from Premier Rubber, Tech International, McGriff Tire, Cross Dillon Tire, Marangoni Tread, Pomp’s Tire Service and Accella. The group discussed trade policy, website recommendations, Europe’s progress in dealing with imported Chinese tyres, and the need to rapidly expand the letter writing campaign.

Retread Instead spokesperson Ron Elliott said: “The meeting was a success and a unanimous decision was made to first and foremost zero in on the main goal of ensuring a full complement of commissioners well in advance of a possible ruling by the US Court of International Trade on the appeal that the United Steel Workers union filed. With the group’s collective  resources, contacts and willingness to spread the word, we should see tens of thousands of letters going out to our US senators very soon. We cannot stop there and are calling on all of our industry brothers and sisters to take a stand and show their support by sending letters now.”