Wisconsin Governor Doyle Urges End to Unfair Trade Practices Hurting Wisconsin Paper Industry

Alleged Dumping by Overseas Competitors is Costing Midwestern Jobs

April 24, 2008 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to protect jobs in Wisconsin by stopping the flow of artificially low-priced lightweight thermal paper to the U.S. from overseas competitors. Appleton Papers, the largest domestic manufacturer of lightweight thermal paper, which is used for ATM receipts and many other applications, has major operations in Wisconsin.

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“These artificially low-priced imports have had a severe, adverse impact on the domestic industry and put at great risk their investments in Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle wrote in a letter. “I respectfully request that you take every appropriate measure to protect the investments and jobs of the lightweight thermal paper industry from the dangerous effects of unfairly traded imports.”

The U.S. Commerce Department is reviewing allegations that manufacturers in Germany and China dumped artificially low-priced lightweight thermal paper into the market and is expected to make a preliminary determination on the matter on May 6.

The domestic lightweight thermal paper industry is an important part of Wisconsin’s economy, and if it is to stand a chance of competing in the international market, it must be allowed to compete on a level playing field.

Governor Doyle’s letter is available at: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us//docview.asp?docid=%2013645.

Source: Wisconsin Governor