Political Quotes

“First of all, I want to emphasize the facts are clear that there was a surge of steel imports. This first chart shows the imports of hot-rolled steel from all countries. If my colleagues look at 1996 and 1997 and 1998, it becomes clear there was this surge, this is of hot-rolled steel a dramatic increase in imports. Secondly, this chart shows the import of all steel products. Once again, I think it is very clear from this chart there was a very substantial overall increase; indeed, a surge. It was most dramatic with hot-rolled steel, but overall, the same was true. Also it should be clear that there was a serious impact from this surge. Ten thousand workers lost their jobs. Three companies went into bankruptcy. So we are talking about American businesses, American workers who suffer because of this surge after the steel industry and its workers together had taken unusual steps to improve the industry, to downsize it, to make it more effective, indeed to make it the most productive in the world. It is also clear that the government reacted slowly.”