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RTI Metals Chief Applauds Halt of Tariff Break on Russian Imports
NILES, Ohio -- The Bush Administration's recent decision to remove tariff breaks on titanium imports from Russia is drawing applause from the chief executive of RTI International Metals Inc., one of the world's largest producers of the specialty metal. Timothy G. Rupert, president and CEO, today called the decision "critically important to our company and our industry."This action, he added, "is essentially an expression of support for titanium production facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri and other key manufacturing states in the U.S. rather than in Russia. We at RTI recognize, however, that this important decision would never have been made without strong urging from Congressional supporters of the U.S. titanium industry."Russian titanium has, since 1993, benefited from a special government program, known as Generalized System of Preferences or GSP, that allows struggling industries from developing countries to export to the United States without paying the normal tariffs, Rupert explained. The U.S. titanium industry argued that the Russian exporter, Verkhnaya Salda Metallurgical Production Organization, should have never been granted GSP status because it is larger than the three leading U.S. titanium producers combined, and -- with 30% of the world market and a surging 20% of the U.S. market -- hardly qualifies as a struggling exporter, Rupert said. The President's decision to terminate the special preference for Russian imports followed a flood of letters from influential members of Congress urging the Administration to take the action it did, Rupert noted. Senate and House members from Ohio, a top titanium-producing state, wrote strong letters to the President urging that the special preference for Russian imports be terminated, he added."The voters of Ohio should know that Governor Taft and certain members of our Congressional delegation worked very hard on this matter," said Rupert. "Both Ohio Senators, George Voinovich and Mike DeWine, argued persuasively to the White House that this was a high priority. We were also very fortunate to have a letter signed by eleven Ohio House members--Ralph Regula, David Hobson, Bob Ney, Deborah Pryce, Paul Gillmor, Steven LaTourette, Tim Ryan, Ted Strickland, Marcy Kaptur, Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Sherrod Brown. We understand this unusual action by so many members from one state's delegation caught the attention of the White House. Congressman Rob Portman also contributed to the effort. We are especially appreciative of the leadership and hard work of Congressman Tim Ryan on this letter."A bipartisan group of House Armed Services Committee members, led by Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), Ryan (D-Ohio) and Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), urged that the Bush Administration take account of the importance to U.S. national security of having a strong domestic titanium industry, because titanium is essential for the construction of military aircraft and other defense applications. "It is unusual for Armed Services Committee members to become involved in a matter of trade policy, but we are extremely grateful that these members did so, because their voices must have been heard by President Bush," Rupert said. "We were very pleased to have the strong support of Congressman Kenny Hulshof [R-Mo.] on this issue. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Hulshof -- whose Missouri district has an RTI facility -- is especially influential on trade policy matters."We also appreciate the support of the House Manufacturing Caucus, led by Congressman Don Manzullo [R-Ill.] and -- here again -- Tim Ryan," Rupert continued. "Their letter was another reason for the White House action."RTI International Metals, through its various subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes titanium and specialty metal mill products, extruded shapes, formed parts and engineered systems for aerospace, industrial, defense, energy, chemical and consumer applications, a company news release said.Visit RTI International Metals: www.rtiintl.com"