David Robertson, Weirton Steel’s executive vice president – human resources and corporate law, will be among the steel officials to meet with White House staff to review the "President’s Steel Action Plan."
The administration’s initial proposal, released seven months ago, was eyed by the domestic steel industry with concern. Last week, preliminary reports of the revised plan indicated it was an improvement over the first proposal, but Weirton Steel President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Riederer said the industry still was disappointed that it contained no new legislation to deal with the illegal import problem.
"If what we’ve learned about the plan is accurate, the overall strategy appears to fall short of what the industry is seeking – an immediate reduction of steel imports to pre-crisis levels," Riederer commented.
Robertson said it appears the plan does not include any proposals for new trade law legislation, something many steel officials are seeking. He noted the proposal may only call for the continued enforcement of existing laws, but the industry maintains the import crisis exists because the laws have not been adequately enforced.
"Since our government struggled to enforce existing trade laws, we have been seeking new legislation that would make such laws more effective and easier to enforce in a timely manner. Our current remedies under the law and through international trade agreements are far too time consuming and time has been our enemy," Robertson explained.
"We will keep an open mind in reviewing the new plan, but we will not be shy about expressing our views to the administration, good or bad."
Last week, published reports revealed the new plan likely will include:
• Bilateral discussions with countries regarding limiting exports to the U.S.; holding a worldwide conference addressing steel global overcapacity and its effects.
• Continuing early monitoring to identify import surges and subsidized imports; ensuring countries do not use international funds to subsidize steel companies.
• Organizing a domestic trade conference relying on input from heavy industrial steel consumers; promoting U.S. exports.
• Generating a government report showing foreign steel subsidies for use in any bilateral or multilateral discussions; enforcing and maintaining existing trade laws.
• Conforming Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules; impressing upon the WTO the importance of eliminating subsidies to countries seeking membership.
In addition to Weirton Steel, other steel officials invited to attend Thursday’s meeting represent Bethlehem Steel, U.S. Steel, Steel Dynamics, ISPAT-Inland Steel, California Steel Industries, Geneva Steel, LTV Steel, ISPCO Steel, Gulf States Steel and ISPAT North America and Gallatin Steel.