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13 December, 2001Steelworkers say "illegal dumping" is responsible for much of the industry's downsizing.
NORTH AMERICA: The IMF-affiliated United Steelworkers of America (USWA) endorsed a statement on December 13 calling upon President Bush to adopt a 50 per cent tariff on imports and quantitative import restraints.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) earlier in December recommended tariffs of 40 per cent on "most" steel products. Demanding 50 per cent on "all" steel products for a minimum of four years, the USWA statement goes much farther than the ITC recommendation.
"For 30 years our trading partners have been exporting their problems along with their steel. This must end," says the statement.
According to the USWA, in 4 years over 30,000 steelworkers have lost their jobs in North America. Twenty-nine steel plants have been driven into bankruptcy and 12 steel plants have been permanently shut down. At the same time, prices remain at 20-year lows.
Reaction from the EU
In a hard-hitting speech in London, European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy issued a warning to the United States over steel protection moves. He said that the European Union (EU) would take action if the U.S. chooses to protect its ailing steel industry and branded the recommendations issued by the ITC as "a blatant call for protectionism".
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) earlier in December recommended tariffs of 40 per cent on "most" steel products. Demanding 50 per cent on "all" steel products for a minimum of four years, the USWA statement goes much farther than the ITC recommendation.
"For 30 years our trading partners have been exporting their problems along with their steel. This must end," says the statement.
According to the USWA, in 4 years over 30,000 steelworkers have lost their jobs in North America. Twenty-nine steel plants have been driven into bankruptcy and 12 steel plants have been permanently shut down. At the same time, prices remain at 20-year lows.
Reaction from the EU
In a hard-hitting speech in London, European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy issued a warning to the United States over steel protection moves. He said that the European Union (EU) would take action if the U.S. chooses to protect its ailing steel industry and branded the recommendations issued by the ITC as "a blatant call for protectionism".