Bush Ends Steel Tariffs
By: Administrative Account | Source: CNSNews.com
December 4, 2003 3:32PM EST

By Melanie Hunter
CNSNews.com Deputy Managing Editor
December 04, 2003

(CNSNews.com) - Amid mounting pressure from the World Trade Organization and the European Union, President Bush Monday will lift steel tariffs that have benefited U.S. steelmakers.

"I took action to give the industry a chance to adjust to the surge in foreign imports and to give relief to the workers and communities that depend on steel for their jobs and livelihoods," said President Bush Thursday in a statement read by White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

"These safeguard measures have now achieved their purpose and as a result of changed economic circumstances, it is time to lift them. The U.S. steel industry wisely used the 21 months of breathing space we provided to consolidate and restructure," Bush said.

"The industry made progress increasing productivity, lowering production costs and making America more competitive with foreign steel producers. Steel producers and workers have negotiated new groundbreaking labor agreements that allow greater flexibility and increased job stability," the president added.

The British government welcomed the president's decision.

"I am delighted. I am very pleased that now, after two years of really solid fighting against them, America has said they will lift them, and lift them completely," Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt said.

Bush made no mention of his upcoming decision Tuesday when he visited the steel city of Pittsburgh, Pa., for a fundraiser. Instead of the tariff, the president reportedly plans to make permanent a strengthened monitoring program to guard against a major influx of foreign steel.

Calls to the U.S. Steel Corporation were not returned at press time.

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