Himes Proposes Free Stannic Oxide Imports Without Child Worker Protections
U.S. Representative Jim Himes has introduced, H.R. 2804, a bill “to suspend temporarily the duty on stannic oxide.” Stannic oxide is also known as tin dioxide and cassiterite, with the chemical formula SnO2.
Why do we need stannic oxide? It’s used for oodles of things, from flat screen TVs to ceramic glazes to polishes for steel.
Why do we need stannic oxide from outside the United States? Tin reserves in the United States are small, and there are no active tin mines in our country.
What’s at issue with the legislation from Congressman Himes to suspend tariffs on stannic oxide, then? In many places across the world where the tin is mined and smelted children are used as workers in the process, under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. There are no provisions in the Himes legislation to ensure that stannic oxide imported into the United States comes from sources free of child labor.
Children should spend their time playing games and studying in school. They shouldn’t be put to work in mines and in workshops around hot metals. The United States, for its part, should not provide for a special, low-cost importation of metals that have been provided by child workers.
