‘Poke Us, and We’ll Poke Back’ – Titan Tire

One of the key agitators behind the US Department of Commerce’s anti-dumping duties has praised the February 6 decision to introduce tougher measures against subsidised OTR tyres from China. Titan Tire, a vocal advocate of US business rights, released a statement on the issue from company chairman and CEO, Maurice M. Taylor.

“Today’s decision will help to restore conditions of fair trade to the US market for OTR tyres by requiring Chinese imports to be priced fairly,” announced Taylor. “For far too long, US producers of OTR tyres such as Titan and our workers have had to compete against Chinese tyres sold at dumped prices, which is illegal. Now, importers and producers will have to compete on the same level field as other producers.”

This level playing field, as previously reported, will result in duties of up to 210 per cent. “Titan will compete with anyone so long as its fair competition,” Taylor added. “But US companies and their employees will lose if they must compete with government subsidies and dumping, unless the US government enforces our trade laws. Titan, one of the smallest, yet specialised tyre companies, stood up and said ‘enough is enough’.”

Quoting support from Titan’s “friends”, the United Steelworkers, the statement went on to throw some fighting words from Maurice Taylor towards the plethora of Chinese tyre manufacturers determined to find their place in the sun. “Nearly 30 companies plus China government-owned factories will now hopefully get the message that some of us Americans don’t like to be poked. If you do, we’ll poke back.”