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For Immediate Release WEIRTON, W.VA. – Officials from Weirton Steel Corp. and the Independent Steelworkers Union (ISU) said the company and other U.S. steel producers have claimed a victory in maintaining tariffs on imports of tin mill products (TMP) following a ruling today by a federal court judge. U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) Judge Jane A. Restani’s ruling will keep in place TMP tariffs which were imposed March 5 by President Bush. The tariffs were enacted following an investigation last year by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) under Section 201 of the Fair Trade Act. European-based Corus Group PLC filed suit in late March against the Bush administration seeking to have the tariffs removed. "This is a victory for the administration, Weirton Steel, the residents of the Upper Ohio Valley and all other U.S. TMP producers. We believed from the start the case was frivolous and would not stand up in court. Our legal counsel and the one representing the U.S. Justice Department provided a strong defense," said John H. Walker, Weirton Steel president and chief executive officer. Weirton Steel, the second largest U.S. TMP producer, joined the government as defendants along with Bethlehem Steel, National Steel and U.S. Steel. "The future of our tin mill and the future of the TMP industry in this country was dependent on this ruling. I feel the judge was correct in her decision to deny the attempt to stop the tariffs on TMP imports," ISU President Mark Glyptis remarked. "I commend Weirton Steel’s attorney Roger Schagrin and the attorneys for the U.S. Justice Department for their legal efforts." On July 31, Restani heard arguments in which Corus attempted to secure a preliminary injunction to stop the 30 percent tariffs until the case could be heard this month. The judge ruled against all but one claim by Corus concerning whether or not ITC Commissioner Dennis Devaney was legally appointed to his post by President Clinton. Devaney was one of three ITC members who voted that imported TMP was seriously harming the domestic tin industry. He also voted in numerous other matters that have had a direct positive impact on the U.S. steel industry. On Aug. 30, in a separate case, CIT Judge Richard Eaton decided Devaney was legally appointed to the ITC. In that case, in which Japan’s Nippon Steel had challenged the government on an issue, Devaney’s appointment also was challenged. Restani cited Eaton’s decision as the basis for ruling against Corus’ claim involving Devaney and dismissed the case. "This case demonstrates that Congressional intent, ITC decisions and President Bush under Section 201 actions are subject to court appeals only under extreme and rare circumstances. Corus failed and the TMP industry should benefit from three years of tariff relief as determined by President Bush," said Roger Schagrin, Weirton Steel’s trade counsel. Schagrin added that Corus has 60 days to appeal Restani’s decision. Weirton Steel is the seventh largest U.S. integrated steel company.
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