The United Steel Workers are calling for more investment in infrastructure to better compete with Chinese production.
During a Senate hearing, the union said that America is falling behind with only 2.5 percent of the GDP being invested in infrastructure.
The group says that China invested nearly 8 percent in 2019.
Roy Houseman, USW Legislative Director, says that the investment would create American jobs while also allowing the U.S. to be more competitive in other industries.
According to Houseman, “We need to upgrade our ports, our roads, expand broadband, build out our critical minerals, and improve our education system. Our union members want that work, yet American workers aren’t guaranteed their tax dollars will go to expand the manufacturing infrastructure to compete with China. This leads to a simple fix. Expand our ‘Buy America’ provisions to ensure that the money approved by Congress doesn’t inadvertently go to jobs in China.”
He says that China has a near monopoly in global steel production and aluminum output. That gives them control over prices, which affects many of the inputs for ag buildings and equipment.
