Kiwi stand on Chinese steel ‘courageous’
American steel workers are throwing their support behind New Zealand’s industry.
China is angry at New Zealand inquiries into a glut of Chinese steel imports flooding the market.
It believes New Zealand is part of a United States-led alliance to target Chinese national interests.
China has threatened ’’retaliatory measures’’, warning it will slow the flow of New Zealand dairy, wool and kiwifruit imports.
China produces about half the world’s supply of steel.
Ben Davis, of United Steelworkers, the US union representing workers, said he had been in touch with E Tu, the union representing the industry in this country.
He said that although the US had been able to fight back with legal measures to introduce duties and tariffs, other countries’ industries were more exposed to Chinese influence and needed support.
‘‘We are working with steel workers’ unions around the world to partner with major producing companies to support their work to strengthen anti-dumping laws.’’
Pacific Steel, the sister company of iron miner and processor NZ Steel, has lodged a confidential application under local and World Trade Organisation rules, for an investigation into China’s alleged dumping of cut-price steel on the New Zealand market.
The local industry is struggling to compete with the glut of Chinese metal, which is being used in major projects like the $1.4 billion Waterview Connection.
Davis said Pacific Steel’s move was courageous.
‘‘It’s an inspiration to other countries. We are trying to do everything we can to support steel workers in New Zealand. From everything I understand it’s a great country to live in with a high standard of living.
‘‘That’s not created by people working in fast food… they are not able to add value to the economy in the way steel employees can. The fact this is happening should encourage others.’’ If you washed your face this morning with an exfoliating scrub, you might have been doing more than just removing the dead skin cells from your nose. Campaigners say the tiny plastic beads contained in many facial scrubs, shower gels and toothpastes are causing chaos when they are flushed through the sewerage system and out to sea, where they are eaten by marine animals. Greenpeace says they affect aquatic life at all levels of the food chain, from plankton to whales, and it wants the Government to introduce a blanket ban on microbeads.
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