ITC is requested to expand scope of S201 review

ITC is requested to expand scope of S201 review

The US ITC has previously declared the set dates for the hearings to be held in order to discuss the effects of the safeguard tariffs and tariff-quotas implemented on imports of certain steel products by the Bush administration that came into effect from March 2002. ITC will thereafter issue a report on the impacts of these measures. Meanwhile there are discussions in the industry that the impacts of safeguards on the domestic steel consumers should also be reviewed and included in such report. As already acknowledged there is a conflict between the domestic steel producers and domestic steel consumers in the US over this steel safeguards issue. The steel producers and related institutions are strongly defending the benefits of these safeguards, protecting the domestic steel industry from the injuries that have been caused by imports for years, ending up permanent closures and bankruptcies of the US steel makers, while on the other hand domestic steel consumers wish for an immediate lifting of these measures as they are to be hold responsible for increasing steel prices and supply shortages experienced in the US. The report to monitor the impacts of S201 safeguard measures on the domestic steel industry will be issued in September 2003. The program for hearings is scheduled as follows: Stainless steel products: July 10, 2003 Carbon and alloy flat products: July 15, 2003 Carbon and alloy long products: July 17, 2003 Carbon and alloy tubular products: July 22, 2003