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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Reacting to the Administration's announcement that they are requesting additional data which will likely delay the President’s decision on the steel 201 proceeding until March, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) issued this statement:

"This Administration's inaction now threatens the steel industry. The American steel industry is like a ticking time bomb. Every day of delay puts the West Virginia steel industry and its workers at even greater risk. The survival of the American steel industry depends on the President's immediate 201 decision and the imposition of the maximum allowable tariffs."

Rockefeller was a frequent critic of the Clinton Administration's failure to act forcefully on steel, and believes that makes it even more imperative for President Bush act quickly and forcefully to strengthen the steel markets. The Senator pointed out that for more than two weeks, the President has had legal authority to impose tough tariffs on steel imports. He has yet to issue a decision and the latest word from the Administration is that there will be more delays before there is a decision on 201 relief.

"The International Trade Commission provided the President with more than 600 pages of comprehensive data demonstrating that the American steel industry has suffered serious injury or threat of serious injury due to imports. Under our trade law, the President has every legal right, and, I believe, obligation, to impose tough tariffs -- now."

A request from the USTR for even more data on the steel industry will delay the President's decision by at least 15 days, pushing back the decision to the first week in March. According to the Senator, the extra data is unnecessary.

"The verdict is in; unanimously the ITC found the U.S. steel industry was injured. Now the President needs to order relief."

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