Pa.'s English blasts decision on tariffs

The congressman has been a frequent critic of WTO decisions.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd, blasted the World Trade Organization's decision that President Bush's temporary import relief for the American steel industry was illegal under trading rules.
English, chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, has been a frequent critic of the WTO's rulings.
The latest ruling confirms what many have known for a long time, he said, accusing the WTO of not respecting the Section 201 safeguard remedy which was negotiated and agreed to by WTO members in a Safeguards Agreement.
"The WTO is trying to change the rules arbitrarily and without precedent to dismantle America's trade laws in order to attack the U.S. manufacturing base," English said.
Tariffs
Bush, responding to the crisis facing domestic steel which resulted in the bankruptcy of 35 American steel companies, announced in March 2002 that foreign steel imports would face temporary tariffs up to 30 percent.
The decision, called a Section 201, provides breathing room so domestic producers can try to adjust to a surge of foreign imports, English said.
Those higher tariffs are scheduled to remain in place for three years, the congressman said, adding that he is appalled but not particularly surprised by the WTO ruling that says the imposition of the tariffs is illegal.
The WTO has never once upheld a legal safeguard action, he said, urging Bush to hold fast to has decision.
"It is not the president's steel program that is on trial, but the legitimacy of the WTO system itself," he said.