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Dear Prospective STF Member,
In March of 2002, after intense lobbying by the domestic steel industry, President Bush imposed Safeguard Tariffs on imported steel of up to 30 percent. Realizing that these import restrictions would result in higher prices, shortages and other disruptions in the market, steel-consuming manufacturers quickly mobilized to seek removal of the tariffs at the earliest possible time. The Consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition (CITAC) Steel Task Force was formed in July of 2002, and the STF was credited as a key player in convincing the Administration to terminate the tariffs in December 2003, 18 months ahead of schedule.
Unfortunately, much damage had already been done. Interruptions in steel imports, coupled with a weaker dollar and subsequent increased demand for steel around the world, have resulted in even higher U. S. prices, shortages and allocations, and increasing quality problems for steel consumers. In fact, for many kinds of steel, U. S. prices today are higher than anywhere else in the world.
Steel consumers realized during the tariff battle that they had been absent from the political process, and that a major effort was needed to educate policymakers about the negative impacts of the decision. And they now realize that this effort must continue if they are to have any hope of avoiding future adverse steel policy decisions. Steel consumers must have a voice in Washington, where those decisions are made.
The CITAC Steel Task Force is that voice. The STF was re-established in May 2004 to provide a means to ensure that the concerns of steel consumers are known.
We have established the following goals:
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Help ensure that steel consumers have access to a stable, adequate supply of globally priced raw material;
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Promote a strong and viable domestic steel industry that is not dependent on government intervention; and
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Oppose undue restrictions on imported steel, particularly products that are in short supply or are not made in the U.S.
Since May, the STF has been letting policymakers know that steel consumers’ problems were not solved with the repeal of the tariffs. Some of those activities have been:
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A Congressional staff briefing on June 18th provided us with an opportunity to discuss our issues in depth with more than 20 offices.
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A hearing in the House Small Business Committee on July 14 gave us a form to recommend ways that U. S. trade laws could be made to work for steel consumers.
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Due to our involvement, a Department of Commerce Study on the future demand for steel will include steel consumers' views and concerns, and we will pursue a broader study of the steel industry and its relationship to the overall economy.
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In addition, we will be supporting STF members in challenging dumping orders or other actions involving steel that adversely impact their companies.
These activities take time, and they take money. The founding supporters of the STF have been generous, but we must increase our financial resources in order to maintain the continued effort that is needed.
We invite your assistance and participation. Please consider becoming a member of the CITAC STF. Your contribution will help sustain the STF, and your participation in the organization will help ensure our success.
Minimum requested contribution is $5000 per year, but many members choose to contribute more. Make sure your voice is heard in the debate on trade policy affecting steel consumers by joining the CITAC Steel Task Force today.
Please contact
or
if you have any questions or need further information.
Thank You.
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