Sen. Baldwin: Reject proposed Chinese purchase of U.S. aluminum producer

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin joined a bipartisan group of 12 senators, led by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, according to a press release. The letter urges the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to reject the proposed purchase of Aleris Co., by China-based Zhongwang International Group.

The senators wrote that the proposed purchase would undermine U.S. national security by risking the transfer of sensitive technologies. The senators also said it would impair U.S. capacity to produce advanced aluminum products, including defense-grade armor, aerospace and other applications.

“Zhongwang’s purchase of Aleris would directly undermine our national security, including by jeopardizing the U.S. manufacturing base for sensitive technologies in an industry already devastated by the effects of China’s market distorting policies, and creating serious risk that sensitive technologies and knowhow will be transferred to China, further imperiling U.S. defense interests,” the senators wrote.

Other signers included Sens: Ron Wyden, D-Oregon; Chuck Schumer, D-New York; Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania; Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York; Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana; Rob Portman, R-Ohio; Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan; Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; and Al Franken, D-Minnesota.

United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard also voiced concerned about the purchase, according to the press release.

A copy of the letter the senators sent is available here.