DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,778

TITAN TIRE
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 8, 2003, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Titan Tire,
Brownsville, Texas. The workers produce pneumatic tractor tires.
Petitioners allege that an increase in imports of like and
directly competitive products from China have contributed
importantly to worker separations. The investigation did reveal
that very large increases of imports from China have occurred
during the period in which the worker separations occurred at
Brownsville, Texas.
United States imports of tires like or directly competitive
with those produced by the subject plant are substantial relative
to U.S. shipments and have increased sharply in January through
June, 2003 compared with the same period of 2002.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with tires produced at Titan Tire,
Brownsville, Texas contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production at
that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Titan Tire, Brownsville, Texas who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
August 28, 2002 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 22nd day of October, 2003.



/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
Richard Church
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance