China trade has cost 106,000 Ohio jobs since 2001

3.2 million jobs have been lost nationwide, study shows

 Economic Policy Institute cites impact of growing China trade deficit

Growth in the U.S. goods trade deficit with China between 2001 and 2013 eliminated or displaced 106,000 jobs in Ohio, according to China Trade, Outsourcing and Jobs, a new study from the Economic Policy Institute. It found that trade with China has caused job loss in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including all but one congressional district.

Ohio’s job losses were eighth largest in total, behind California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. The jobs lost in Ohio equate to 2.04 percent of total state employment, ranking 24th among states.

The report estimates job losses by congressional district (Download table listing Ohio districts).  Among Ohio’s 16 congressional districts, the 14^th District in the northeastern corner of the state and the 7^th District, which covers all or part of 10 counties mostly in North Central and Northeast Ohio, each lost at least 8,400 jobs over the time period, or 2.6 percent as a share of employment.  

Almost three out of four jobs lost in Ohio were in manufacturing. “If our leaders are serious about supporting Ohio manufacturing, they must work to reduce our trade deficit and put an end to China’s job-killing trade practices and labor policies that harm workers,” said Zach Schiller, research director of Policy Matters Ohio, which released the report in Ohio.

Supporters of China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 claimed that the move would create jobs and increase U.S. exports to China. However, China has continued to engage in unfair trade practices