Want to watch a U.S. tire exec struggle and stumble? Ask their opinion of the entire USW-Chinese tire mess.
Ofall of the stories I have covered in this industry over the last 25years, only two have garnered more attention and more ink: Sir JamesGoldsmith’s greenmail run on Goodyear back in the 1980s and theBridgestone recall of 2000.
Back in April when the USW filed its little trade petition I think few people could imagine how this story has just blown up.
Thisthing has opened cans of worms one would never imagine from our littleindustry. Every major media outlet is weighing in on the situation, andnot just on these shores. China, India, Europe…it’s been all over.Seems like the whole world is watching, waiting for the ObamaAdministration’s take (due sometime next month), and most opinionsappear to side against the USW’s position. Though, sometimes notentirely.
About the only group that has offered nary a cough hasbeen U.S.-based tiremakers and their Rubber Manufacturer’s Association.Frankly, given their interwoven connections with Chinese tireproduction, one cannot blame them.
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– Jim Smith
