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- THE WEEK, Page 22BUSINESSSteel Wars
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- The Commerce Department steps in to protect domestic steelmakers
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- When U.S. quotas on steel imports were lifted earlier this
- year, American steelmakers, concerned that they might lose their
- customers to overseas suppliers, cried foul. Complaints, filed
- by Bethlehem, LTV and 10 other firms, charged nations including
- Brazil, Britain, France and South Korea with receiving unfair
- trade advantages from government subsidies. The American
- steelmakers argued that these benefits protect foreign firms
- from economic pressures that domestic steelmakers must face.
- Last week the Commerce Department agreed, citing 12 countries. A
- final ruling is expected next spring, which could mean permanent
- additional duties ranging from 1% to 91%.
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- The government's action should ease the concerns of U.S.
- firms by curbing imports. After years of severe competition and
- lagging productivity, American firms have risen out of the
- doldrums. But a depressed economy has caused orders for U.S.
- steel to decline in the past two years.
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