 |
||
   |
 |
(1) Push For Adding Countries to Tariff Program; For Immediate Release WEIRTON, W.VA. – Weirton Steel Corp.’s chief official today told members of the U.S. Senate Steel Caucus that the Bush administration must include additional countries to the steel tariff program. John H. Walker, Weirton Steel president and chief executive officer, also discussed support for the Bush administration’s appeal of the World Trade Organization’s ruling against the tariff program and to consider the use of U.S.-made steel in the rebuilding of Iraq. Walker was one of six steel industry leaders invited to testify in Washington, D.C., before the Senate Steel Caucus. The caucus members held the briefing to learn the effects after year one of the three-year program. The caucus is co-chaired by Sens. John D. Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa. Walker testified that imports from developing countries have dramatically increased since the tariffs were imposed in March 2002 on 16 types of steel imports. The administration excluded certain developing countries from the tariff program. "The tariff program is working. However, rising imports from the exempted countries are chiseling away at its effectiveness. We are not benefiting from the full force of the program because of growing imports from numerous developing nations," Walker testified. According to Walker, while steel imports from nations saddled with the tariffs decreased, many exempted developing countries have taken, and continue to take, advantage of the void in the domestic marketplace by increasing their steel shipments to the U.S. Last year, the administration indicated it would monitor imports from the developing nations and could levy tariffs if their steel shipments to the U.S. significantly increased. Walker mentioned several of the developing nations that have increased their shipments – India, Egypt and Romania – but centered on Turkey as an example. For all of 2001, Turkey exported 329,000 tons to the U.S. During 2002, the year the tariffs were enacted, Turkish exports climbed to 456,000 tons – a 39 percent increase. In just the first two months of this year, Turkey’s imports arrived at a 600,000- ton annual rate, a 40 percent increase. Walker told the senators Weirton Steel is a member of a coalition formed to address the problem. He said on two occasions since last September, the coalition raised the issue with the administration. "Clearly, these import surges must stop. I ask that you help us address and resolve this issue with the administration," Walker told caucus members. Walker also addressed the WTO’s ruling that the tariff program violates its regulations. While the administration plans to appeal the ruling, Walker urged the senators to work with the White House to ensure an effective appeal is developed and filed to keep the tariff program active through March 2005 as originally planned. Walker’s testimony concluded by addressing the war in Iraq and the use of U.S.-made steel in rebuilding the country. "In recent years, we have repeatedly mentioned the importance of a strong domestic steel industry for national defense. Our position is evident as we see American made steel benefiting our military in Iraq. And as we look beyond the military operation to liberation and rebuilding operations, I sincerely hope that the domestic steel industry will be offered a place at the table in discussing the rebuilding plan," Walker noted. Weirton Steel is the seventh largest U.S. integrated steel company.
|
