Over the years, valley steelworkers say they, and their employers, have made adjustments to lower the price of their products so they could better compete against foreign countries.  But when China entered the steel pipe market, government subsidies allowed the products to sell for less than what American companies were paying for raw materials.

On Friday, however, the government stepped in.  The US International Trade Commission voted to re-enforce the temporary tariffs imposed on Chinese tube products six months ago and to keep them in place for the next five years.

This was the second time the union and companies like Wheatland Tube requested the sanctions.  Several years ago, the Bush Administration rejected a similar move.  The result meant closed mills and hundreds of lost jobs.  Workers say they felt the rest of the country was turning its back on them.

Union leaders say this move helps restore what they say is a more level playing field, where customers can choose which products to buy because of quality, not simply the lowest price.  Union leaders also praised area lawmakers for their efforts to fight foreign dumping over the years.

We spoke by phone with Congressman Phil English, who called the ITC's vote a big win for Wheatland Tube and other US companies that have been threatened by Chinese trading practices, saying, he hopes the Chinese "get the message."

English warns the only way to make sanctions like those imposed today work in the long term is for Congress to pass strong trade legislation, and close loopholes that he says allow foreign countries to dump their products in this country.