Administration Releases Steel Report--As expected, the Clinton Administration
released a new report on steel imports which details plans to take aggressive new steps to protect domestic
steel producers from import surges, speeding up its use of antidumping measures and providing faster relief for companies and workers.--Full Story--
CITAC Getting the Word Out--At a trade conference hosted by the Consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition
(CITAC), steel users stressed that the problems experienced by downstream
users are rarely considered in trade cases. (CITAC is a growing coalition
of companies and trade associations concerned about keeping open the channels
of trade. The focus is on government restrictions that fail to consider
the necessity for consuming industries to have open access to imported
raw materials.)--Full Story--
Bush/Gore and Their Views on Trade
--For several years, the trade policy debate in Washington has revolved around
whether trade agreements should be structured to improve labor rights and
environmental standards. The impasse has led to a feud between labor and
environmental organizations against the business community ... Both presidential candidates profess to be free traders
... However, there are still major differences between the two.--Full Story--
US, Vietnam Sign Trade Agreement
--The US and Vietnam signed a landmark trade agreement that provides Vietnam
with access to the US market on the same terms granted to most other nations.
In return, Vietnam agreed to sharply lower tariffs and other trade barriers
on a wide range of American products. The deal would reduce US tariffs
on Vietnamese products from the current average of about 40% to less than
3%.--Full Story--
Inside Washington
--Trade issues discussed include PNTR with China, NTR for the Republic of Georgia and FSC Law.
Other issues discussed include Deletion of Phosphoric Acid, the NOx Rule, Electricity Deregulation,
Congressional Regs Oversight and Patients' Bill of Rights. --Full Story--
Executive Order for Trade/Environmental Reviews
--The Clinton Administration released a draft proposal that would require
all future trade agreements signed by the US government to undergo extensive
environmental impact reviews. The first step in implementing this order
is to establish procedures and guidelines for how the USTR and the Council
on Environmental Quality (CEQ) will identify the potential environmental
effects of multilateral trade rounds, multilateral or bilateral free trade
agreements, and other major new agreements. --Full Story--
EPA Ignores Congress, Issues TMDL Rule
--EPA issued its new water pollution rules; outmaneuvering GOP leaders who
thought the regulation had been killed. The Congress had passed a spending
measure that included language blocking the EPA from implementing the proposed
stricter clean water rules until a complete cost-benefit analysis could
be conducted. Because President Clinton indicated he would sign the spending
bill, EPA had to act before he did so. As a result, the agency finalized
the rules by publishing them in the Federal Register a few hours ahead
of Clinton signing the bill into law. --Full Story--
Calendar of Events Membership News
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American Wire Producers Association
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Alexandria, VA 22314-1757
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