APRIL 1999  VOL. 9, NO. 1  ONEROUS TRADE LEGISLATION PASSES HOUSE, MOVES IN SENATE By David E. Woodbury, Government Relations Manager As expected, the House of Representatives voted on March 17 to pass HR 975, legislation that would place quotas on imported steel products, by a 289-141 margin. Grassroots communications by a large number of AWPA members helped to raise the number of opposing votes to a level that was unexpected by the opposition. The next step in the process is consideration of the legislation in the US Senate. Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC) disrupted plans by the Senate Finance Committee to head off the House bill, and use it as a vehicle to make changes to US trade laws governing import relief. As a result of the Hollings's procedural move, the quota bill, as approved by the House, is now pending on the Senate Calendar instead of being under the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee, which likely would have amended it significantly. The committee was hoping to alter HR 975, and use it to consider generic trade law reform. AWPA has been discussing several potential changes with key committee staff members in both the House and Senate. Industrial User and Consumer Standing - Industrial Users and consumers of subject merchandise or a domestic like product may enter their appearances as "interested parties" in an investigation, administrative review, changed circumstances review, sunset review or any other proceeding affecting such subject merchandise or domestic like product. Temporary Duty Suspension - The DOC and ITC may initiate changed circumstances reviews to determine if a product subject to antidumping or countervailing duties is in "short supply." Public Interest Test - Before an antidumping or countervailing duty order may be issued, the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the ITC will determine whether such an order would be in the "public interest." Lesser Duty Rule - In accordance with the Antidumping and Subsides Agreements in the World Trade Organization, the International Trade Commission will determine whether antidumping or countervailing duties less than those calculated by the administering authority would be sufficient to redress the injury or threat of injury found by the Commission. Congress is far from finished with trade legislation in 1999. Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) introduced a new trade bill, HR 1120, on March 16, that calls for stepped up monitoring of imports and changes in the trade laws that would make it easier for industries to win emergency relief more quickly from surges of imports. This legislation, unlike HR 975, is expected to be consistent with World Trade Organization rules. AWPA has met with senior staff of both the Ways and Means Committee and Finance Committee to discuss trade initiatives for 1999. It is very evident that steel consumers need to communicate with their legislators on this issue to counteract the millions of dollars spent by "big steel" and labor in a campaign to pass protectionist legislation. AWPA is also working with a coalition of consuming industries to defeat protectionist legislation and to develop fairer and more rational trade laws. The coalition's success will hinge on the "grassroots" involvement of companies throughout the US. While lobbyists in Washington can educate legislators and staff, support from their constituents will make or break the effort. Back to Wireline Contents 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