    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [August 5, 1999]
    [Page 1386]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Administration Action on Steel Imports
    August 5, 1999

        Many steelworkers and communities are experiencing continuing
    hardship as a result of last year's sharp rise in steel imports. I am
    determined to continue taking forceful action to address the unfair
    trade practices that have contributed significantly to this crisis. But
    from the start, we have maintained that we must do it the right way. We
    must ensure that our actions are consistent with our commitment to open
    markets and respect for international trade rules, just as we insist
    that other countries do the same. My administration has executed a
    strategy of vigorous, timely enforcement of our trade laws and direct
    high-level engagement with major steel exporting nations. These actions
    have cut imports to pre-crisis levels.
        Now, we must ensure that imports remain at pre-crisis levels and
    give the industry a chance to regain its competitiveness--even as we put
    in place measures to prevent any recurrence. Today I am releasing a
    steel action plan containing a number of measures to identify and
    address factors that pose continuing risks for the health and vitality
    of U.S. steel communities and companies and the U.S. economy. These
    include a systematic analysis of foreign subsidies and market-distorting
    trade barriers for steel and steel inputs, an international conference
    on unfair practices that support economically unjustifiable production
    capacity, bilateral discussions with key steel exporters to ensure that
    they play by the rules of fair trade and eliminate market-distorting
    subsidies, working with the international financial institutions to
    eliminate subsidies for steel production, enhancing our ability to
    detect incipient import surges before they happen, and strengthened
    enforcement of our trade laws.
        I will continue to work with steelworkers, the steel industry, and
    Members of Congress to attack unfair trade practices around the world.