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I.S.U. Receives Response from White House Weirton, West Virginia—John D. Podesta, Chief of Staff to the President, responded today to correspondence submitted to the White House on behalf of the Independent Steelworkers Union concerning issues surrounding the illegal trade of foreign steel. Mr. Podesta stated that the White House has learned much since 1998 and planned to take quick action that hopefully can prevent further harm to the industry and its workers. He also informed us that the President has directed the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to immediately have senior level consultations with representatives of the Ukraine, Taiwan, India, China, and other countries who have rapidly increased their imports. The Administration said that their goal would be to alert these trading partners to their concern about the dramatic increase in shipments to our markets. The White House also stated that they will continue to review specific actions including Section 201 relief, as well as steel agreements with non-WTO countries. Mark Glyptis, President of the Independent Steelworkers Union, stated, "This appears nothing more than the rhetoric that we have been accustomed to hearing from this Administration. Just in case the White House has not been paying attention to the numbers, the projections of imports for the year 2000 are on pace to meet or exceed the record established in 1998. It has become apparently clear to us that this Administration will hold meetings, have discussions, develop committees, but do nothing that will take immediate action to curtail or stop this illegal dumping of foreign steel. This is the same Administration that negotiated suspension agreements after the steel industry won trade cases that would have brought relief to our industry. If the Administration truly wanted to help, they would enact Section 201 relief that would immediately assist in this steel crisis." "Glyptis further stated,"We have heard these promises before, and now believe that it isn’t anything more than an attempt to gain labor’s support for Vice President Gore." |
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