WASHINGTON – Wednesday, Congressman James Comer joined with Century Aluminum CEO Mike Bless, United Steelworkers Union VP Tom Conway, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and other members of the China Trade Taskforce to call on the Trump Administration to take immediate action against unfair trade practices by the Chinese government within the American aluminum industry.  This appeal took place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Century Aluminum is a major employer in Kentucky, with their facility in Robards, KY currently employing over 500 people with high-paying jobs. Due to unfair trade practices primarily from China, U.S. aluminum faces a historic crisis that threatens the entire American aluminum industry. 

“I call on President Trump to take immediate and swift action against China for unfair trade practices under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. Century Aluminum is a great corporate citizen and provides more than 1,000 good-paying jobs to hardworking Kentuckians. These jobs are in jeopardy due to the Chinese government’s cheating and heavy subsidization of their aluminum industry,” Comer said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is soon expected to announce the results of its long-awaited Section 232 investigation into the national security threat of aluminum imports. High-purity aluminum is a major component in defense platforms for military aircraft, combat ships, tank hulls and missile structures.