Blasdel's testimony backs trade policies

State Rep. Chuck Blasdel of East Liverpool, R-1st, testified before the International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., supporting trade policies that protect U.S. steel companies.
Blasdel told the commission Tuesday that he testified "to try to provide you with a glimpse into what has happened in Ohio and the states surrounding us, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Indiana, as a result of unfairly traded steel imports being dumped into the United States."
The ITC held the hearing concerning a five-year review of trade orders imposed in 2002 protecting U.S. steel companies against the illegal dumping of steel from foreign interests.
A final decision on continuing the trade laws is expected in January.
Among others testifying were U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, Pa., R-3rd, who represents a portion of Mercer County, and U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, as well as representatives from U.S. Steel and AK Steel Corp.
Blasdel serves as the Ohio House speaker pro-tempore and is chairman of the Ohio House Manufacturing Caucus. He is running as the Republican nominee in the Nov. 7 election for the 6th Congressional District seat against state Sen. Charlie Wilson, a St. Clairsville Democrat.