The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) is dedicated to the well-being of the North American metals industry, including the entire value chain of metals producers, processors, distributors, and end users.
MSCI's public advocacy efforts are focused on preserving and expanding the North American manufacturing base. To that end, MSCI will take these actions:
1. MSCI will oppose the Employee Free Choice Act and other legislation that would increase the cost of business or the burdens of over-regulations and which would negatively impact the general environment for business in North America. (Back to Top)
2. MSCI will continue to collaborate with other associations in alliances that help to develop grass-roots support for its policy positions.
As part of its advocacy program, MSCI has joined and worked with a number of business alliances and coalitions. These include, among others, the Fair Currency Coalition, the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, the Tax Relief Coalition, the LIFO Coalition and the Coalition of Affordable American Energy. MSCI will join other North American associations, coalitions and alliances, like the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, to organize grass-roots support for its positions. (Back to Top)
3. MSCI will continue to oppose currency manipulation by U.S. trading partners.
MSCI was an early member of the China Currency Coalition which is now the Fair Currency Coalition (FCC). The FCC seeks to end currency manipulation by all U.S. foreign trading partners. On May 13, 2009, representatives Tim Ryan D-OH and Jim Murphy R-PA joined Senators Jim Bunning R-KY and Debbie Stabenow D-MI to introduce new legislation, The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, see the text of the bill. Click to see video of the press conference or to see a current list of cosponsors. More information is available by clicking here. (Back to Top)
4. MSCI will continue to support legislation to achieve a level playing field and free and fair global trade.
There is ample evidence that in many markets, the deck is stacked against U.S. manufacturers because of foreign government subsidies, tariffs, border taxes and illegal sanctions that make it difficult or impossible for North American goods and services to compete. China, for example, does not protect rights to intellectual property, and U.S. and Canadian companies lose billions of dollars annually in royalties and sales because of this.
MSCI does not favor protectionist legislation. However, MSCI believes trade agreements and U.S. laws that open markets to competition and that respond to unfair or illegal trading practices must be enforced and strengthened.
As one example, MSCI supports legislation that would permit the application of countervailing duties (CVD) to imports from non-market economies (NME). Recently, the Commerce Department decided to reverse a decades old policy and began to apply CVDs to NMEs. MSCI seeks to make this policy made permanent through passage of the appropriate legislation. Bills currently under consideration include: HR 708, HR 1229, S 364, S 947 and S 1919
MSCI will support legislation and administration activities that move the U.S. towards full enforcement of the fair trade provisions of all of its trading agreements and laws. (Back to Top)
5. MSCI will continue to support legislation that lowers the structural cost of doing business in the U.S.
A study by the National Association of Manufacturers found that on average, the structural cost of doing business is 22% higher in the U.S. than it is for our global trading partners. This disparity means that many manufacturers are uncompetitive, no matter how efficient their processes or how vigorous their efforts to cut costs.
MSCI generally supports those initiatives by NAM, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and others that seek to lower the cost of doing business. In particular, MSCI supports reductions in the cost of responding to government regulations, litigation, and health care as three major area of expense. This is why MSCI asked members to support legislation to blunt the impact of “jurisdiction shopping” for class action lawsuits.
MSCI will continue to identify and support legislation that addresses and lowers business costs.
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6. MSCI will support legislation that encourages research, development and innovation by North American businesses.
The U.S. private sector is known for creativity and innovations that lead to high-value new businesses, processes, and opportunities. MSCI will continue to identify and support legislation and regulations that encourage research and development, educational opportunity, workforce training, and other activities that add value and create new business opportunities. (Back to Top)
To contact your Senator, go to: http://www.senate.gov
To contact your representative, go to: http://www.house.gov
You may also call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
