WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2020 – Owen Herrnstadt, Chief of Staff of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, asked Congress and the Administration to adopt a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that disincentives outsourcing and ensures U.S. competitiveness with China.
“The IAM has been sounding the alarm over forced technology and production to China as well as subsidies, currency manipulation, violations of fundamental human rights and other unfair market distortions for many years, so it should come as no surprise that they are now competing head on with the U.S.,” said Herrnstadt.
Click here to read Herrnstadt’s complete testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee.
Herrnstadt offered a number of suggestions that would contribute to U.S. competitiveness with China.
“The U.S cannot solely tariff our way into competitiveness with China,” said Herrnstadt.
Herrnstadt also warned of the threat of more job losses when parts and components are single sourced, citing disruptions to the supply chain.
“This threat could not be greater these days when our friends can quickly become our enemies, the forces of nature overtake us or other unexpected developments occur, like COVID-19,” said Herrnstadt.
The Machinists Union represents 600,000 active and retired members across North America in the aerospace, general manufacturing, defense, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, electronics and other industries. For more on the IAM, visit goIAM.org.
