Peters, Stabenow Applaud ITC Anti-Dumping Decision Against Foreign Built Washing Machines

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow applauded a recent ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission that foreign manufacturers of washing machines were engaging in unfair trade practices, deliberately undercutting the Michigan-based Whirlpool Corporation. Last year, Senators Peters and Stabenow urged the Department of Commerce to move forward in addressing these dumping violations, which include selling artificially low-priced and Chinese manufactured washers in the United States in order to gain market share.

“The United States must act decisively to enforce existing trade laws when foreign companies deliberately and repeatedly engage in predatory trade practices,” said Senator Peters. “I applaud the ruling from the International Trade Commission, as well as the work of the U.S. Commerce Department, to take action on behalf of Whirlpool, a company with a proud tradition of making its products here in the United States. I will continue to stand up for Michigan workers and fight against unfair trade practices, no matter who is President.”

“Today’s ruling is a victory for American manufacturing and our talented workers,” said Senator Stabenow. “I have fought aggressively to enforce our trade laws to stop companies in China and South Korea from cheating, and today’s action is an important win in this continuing fight.”

As a result of this week’s ITC decision, South Korean based producers Samsung and LG must now pay duties of 52.21% and 32.12%, respectively, to offset their actions of unfair pricing tactics. Whirlpool employs 22,000 workers across the United States, with nearly 15,000 of those employees in manufacturing.