US steel producers react to WTO ruling against S201

US steel producers react to WTO ruling against S201

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), on behalf of the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports, Specialty Steel Industry of North America, Steel Manufacturers Association and the United Steelworkers of America, issued an announcement, reflecting their opinion and reactions on the recent WTO ruling against S201 sanctions. In the letter, the emphasize is on their full support for the Bush Administration's S201 steel safeguard measures and the measures' strict compliance with international trading rules, as opposed to the WTO ruling of illegality of such measures. According to these institutions, removal of the President's 3-part steel program would lead to impairment of restructuring domestic steel industry and reduction of effectiveness in excess capacity elimination incentives worldwide and therefore, the ruling must be appealed.