Contact: Paula Weis
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI SUPPORTS CHINA TRADE BILL

WASHINGTON (July 18, 2005) - The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) today urged passage of legislation that would level the playing field for American manufacturers by authorizing the U.S. to impose sanctions on China for unfair trade and monetary practices. SPI also commended Reps. Bill Thomas (R-CA) and Phil English (R-PA) for introducing the bill.

The legislation, "The United States Trade Rights Enforcement Act" (H.R. 3282), would authorize the U.S. government to impose countervailing duties on exports from "non-market economies," including China. It would also for the first time establish a system for the government to monitor Chinese compliance with World Trade Organization rules, including intellectual property rights and market access for American goods and services.

The bill also requires the Department of the Treasury to address China's currency manipulation.

"SPI fully supports this bill," said SPI President Bill Carteaux. "This is important legislation that, along with passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, will provide plastics and other American manufacturers with critical market access, as well as the assistance needed to counter illegal trade practices that are damaging the U.S. economy."

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.4 million workers and provides nearly $310 billion in annual shipments. For more information, visit SPI on the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org.

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