An exciting and informative 1999 AWPA Annual Meeting was held January 31 to February 3, at the Marriott Marco Island Resort in Florida. Trade issues were the focus of the meeting, as they have been the focus all year among wire manufacturers. The association made several key determinations regarding steel trade issues, including the decision to oppose the Section 201 case currently being pursued by rod manufacturers.
In preparation for the member's discussions regarding the Section 201 petition against rod imports, a presentation was given on this trade law procedure, called the Section 201 Escape Clause. The US wire rod industry has filed a 201 petition and will be required to prove "serious injury" to US rod manufacturers. An affirmative decision by the International Trade Commission would pave the way for the Administration to provide import relief to the industry. The presentation was given by Kimberly Korbel, AWPA Executive Director, Fred Waite, AWPA Counsel and Catherine DeFilippo, an Economist at the US International Trade Commission.
One of the keynote presentations for the 1999 Annual Meeting was a panel discussion of steel trade policy from several international points of view. The panel of experts with diverse backgrounds in the trade and steel manufacturing sectors gave members the perspective of the Europeans, the Japanese and US steel importers. The panel included Charles Blum, US Representative for Eurofer, Horste Bulte, President of the American Institute of Imported Steel, Hitoshige Takegaki, Senior Vice President of Kobe Steel USA, on behalf of the Japanese steel community.
As is tradition, the 1999 AWPA Annual Meeting also provided an opportunity for members to listen to presentations by rod suppliers. This year Richard Santoro presented on behalf of Carpenter Technology Corporation, and Richard Holzworth briefed members on behalf of GS Industries, Inc.
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American Wire Producers Association
801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 211
Alexandria, VA 22314-1757
Tel (703) 299-4434 | Fax (703) 299-9233 | E-mail info@awpa.org | Web: www.awpa.org
