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GLYPTIS ENCOURAGED BY HIS TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. Weirton, W.Va. -- ISU President Mark Glyptis spent Wednesday lobbying on Capitol Hill as part of an all-out industry effort to convince President Bush to implement tariffs of at least 40 percent for a four-year period. ``Our strategy is to mount as much pressure on the administration as possible by working together throughout the industry,'' said Glyptis. ``I don't believe President Bush has made his final decision about what type of remedy to impose, but I think he's getting close to making his announcement. That's why it's extremely important for residents of the Ohio Valley and steel supporters throughout the country to keep bombarding the White House with phone calls and letters to let the president know how many people care about this issue.'' In addition to speaking with representatives of several high-ranking lawmakers, including Senators Robert Byrd, Arlen Specter, George Voinovich and Mike DeWine. Glyptis attended a Senate Finance Committee hearing. He was encouraged by the testimony which was given by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, US Steel President Tom Usher, USWA President Leo Gerard and Grant Aldonas, under secretary for international trade with the U.S. Commerce Department. Glyptis met with Aldonas last week and was assured the steel crisis is a priority concern for the administration. Rockefeller presented strong words during the hearing on ``Sectoral Trade Disputes: Lumber and Steel.'' He was very emphatic that anything less than a 40-percent tariff would not be enough to save the struggling domestic industry. Steel leaders had initially urged the International Trade Commission to recommend that the president impose tariffs as high as 50 percent, the maximum allowed under Section 201 of the Fair Trade Act of 1974. Amid unconfirmed reports that President Bush was going to impose tariffs of only 20 percent, the industry accelerated its efforts to lobby for tariffs of at least 40 percent. ``I am somewhat optimistic that our industry will attain meaningful relief. Sen. Rockefeller did an excellent job in pointing out that tariffs lower than 40 percent will not give us the relief that we need,'' said Glyptis. ``It's clear that there is a great sense of urgency because we need relief right now and that relief must result in immediate price increases. We also need to make sure that all product lines are subject to the same tariff. Failure to treat them the same would result in countries shifting their strategy and sending products with the lowest tariffs to our country.'' Glyptis said opposition groups also testified during the Senate Finance Committee hearing, saying hefty tariffs would offset the balance of free trade and prompt an increase in the price of consumer goods which are made with steel. However, industry leaders said these arguments are weak because studies have shown that any impact on consumers would be minimal. The ITC was responsible for giving the president a recommendation about how to solve the import crisis. The commissioners baffled industry supporters in early December when they unveiled a disjointed recommendation, calling for tariffs that range from 8 percent to 40 percent. President Bush is expected to announce his decision by early March. ``President Bush has a lot of complexities to consider when making a decision about the best remedy to help the American steel industry,'' said Glyptis. ``Based on my discussions with members of the Bush administration, I believe the president will decide to impose tariffs that will be higher than 20 percent. We need a remedy of at least 40 percent in order to achieve any significant relief and the next few weeks are very critical for the industry.’’
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