[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.