Robert Ehrlich: “I want to commend my Steel Caucus colleagues, especially Phil English and Pete Visclosky, for their efforts to resolve…”

“I want to commend my Steel Caucus colleagues, especially Phil English and Pete Visclosky, for their efforts to resolve the steel import crisis. This is an issue of great importance to me, my constituents, and the domestic steel industry. On June 5, 2001, domestic steel producers finally received some good news in their struggle to remain a viable, competitive industry. On that day, President George W. Bush announced a comprehensive initiative to resolve the steel crisis. As part of this important initiative, President Bush directed USTR Representative Bob Zoellick to initiate an investigation under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 regarding the impact of steel imports on the U.S. steel industry. After conducting an extensive investigation, the International Trade Commission (ITC) confirmed what I and many others have been observing for years: illegal steel imports have caused substantial injury to the American steel industry. Now that the ITC has made its recommendations (most by a unanimous vote), President Bush must decide by March 6, 2002, on the appropriate remedies for our domestic industry. As a free trader who recently voted for Trade Promotion Authority, I believe the steel crisis provides President Bush with a unique opportunity to save an important American industry, and to put the world on notice that free trade with America does not confer the right to violate U.S. trade laws with impunity.”