AWPA Members Testify at ITC Hearing--The mid-point review of the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) program currently in place as a result of the Section 201 remedy against imports of carbon wire rod in February 2000, was held on July 11. --Full Story--
USTR Initiates Steel Section 201 Investigation--The US Trade Representative (USTR) sent the letter of initiation of a comprehensive Section 201 for the steel industry to the International Trade Commission (ITC). The request for an investigation under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 is part of President Bush's comprehensive steel policy initiative.
--Full Story--
TPA Bills Introduced; Partisan Lines Already Drawn -- House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Philip Crane (R-IL) introduced
a bill (HR 2149) to provide the President with Trade Promotion Authority
(TPA) that would enable the US to conclude international trade agreements.
Obtaining TPA, formerly known as fast track, has been one of the Administration's
top goals with respect to its trade agenda.--Full Story--
Rod Producers Request Canada and Mexico In TRQ -- In an unprecedented move, the domestic wire rod producers have requested
that Canada and Mexico be included in the current Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ)
Program covering carbon wire rod imports citing there has been a surge
of imports from these two exempt countries.--Full Story--
INSIDE Washington -- TRADE, Free Trade Agreements The Senate Finance Committee approved an historic trade agreement with
Vietnam that would reduce tariffs on Vietnamese products and provide copyright
protection to US companies. However, because Vietnam is a communist nation,
its normal trade status would still be subject to annual review until it
gains entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). ----Full Story--
EPA Seeks to Delay TMDL; Needs More Work, Says Recent
Report -- EPA has announced it will delay requiring states to adopt new strict water
pollution control strategies as outlined in the proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulation. However, some states are covered by federal court orders to implement cleanup plans for their waterways by 2005. (Federal orders supersede EPA's decision, which only applies to those states that are not under a court order.) --Full Story--
Have You Looked at Industry Statistics Lately? -- AWPA members can obtain numerous statistical reports on the AWPA website - http://www.awpa.org including the shipment data formerly mailed in WireLine. Many of the statistics programs are updated on a monthly basis. --Full Story--
New Round of Global Trade Talks -- Top trade negotiators for the US and the European Union have arrived at an "understanding" on the agenda for a new round of global trade talks, removing some significant obstacles to an expansion of freer trade. They announced they are close to agreement on expanding the agenda to include investment, antitrust and environmental issues - topics the Europeans have been pressing to include.--Full Story--
Steel Loan Guarantee Act -- Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) has been working to strengthen the $1 billion
Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Act he created in 1999. The Senator incorporated
changes to extend the program and provide federal guarantees for a greater
share of steel company loans though an amendment that was included in the
Interior Appropriations bill. The legislation subsequently passed the Senate.--Full Story--
Calendar of Events Membership News
Back to Main Page
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
