Pa. lawmaker speculates on fate of steel tariffs

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A senior lawmaker from a key steel state predicted Thursday the White House will keep steep tariffs on foreign-made steel -- but tweak them to ease higher prices for consumers.
Such a compromise would anger supporters and opponents of the tariffs who refuse to cede ground in the debate that pits President Bush's political interests against global economic policies. The U.S. International Trade Commission was to release two reports today that are believed to hold the key to the tariffs' fate.
"There have been a number of proposals that would retain the tariffs, but that would make some exclusions," said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who spoke with President Bush earlier this week about the issue.
Those exclusions, or exceptions to the tariffs, would likely be granted "on a case-by-case basis -- but there might be some generalization as to the easing to respond to consumer complaints about the steel costing more money," Specter said.
Bush, however, "did not commit himself as to what the future was going to hold," Specter said.
Based on the ITC findings, Bush could decide as early as next week whether to keep or dump the tariffs. White House officials, however, said Thursday the president is unlikely to make a decision until November.
The ITC midpoint review will outline any effects the tariffs have had since they were enacted in March 2002.