TOLEDO, OH---The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force today (June 12) hailed the decision of the Bush Administration to initiate a Section 201 investigation into the continued dumping of foreign steel into the United States. In the past three years, steel imports into the United States have totaled 120 million tons and driven the price of steel so low that no less than 12 American steelmakers are currently in various stages of bankruptcy. If the investigation determines unfair trade has harmed American steel companies, the Federal government can impose restrictions on imports.
"Iron ore and the other raw materials needed for steel production are the backbone of domestic Great Lakes shipping," said
Daniel L. Smith, President of GLMTF and Vice President of American Maritime Officers. "This avalanche of dumped foreign
steel has kept at least two U.S.-Flag lakers inactive this year and at least temporarily forced three others to lay-up shortly
after fitting out this spring. It is intolerable such efficient hulls are idle because of unfair trade. I applaud President Bush for
taking such forceful action so early in his Administration."
Steel imports to the United States skyrocketed in 1997 when the Asian economy fumbled and remain at near record levels.
Since 1997, the iron ore trade in U.S.-Flag lakers has fallen from 63.4 to 58.5 million tons, a decrease of nearly 8 percent.
"We must never lose sight of the fact that steel is still the economic heartbeat of the Great Lakes region," said George J. Ryan,
1st Vice President of GLMTF and President of Lake Carriers' Association. "American steel mills generate more than 100,000
family-sustaining jobs for steelworkers. The iron ore mines of Minnesota and Michigan employ 8,000 miners. The U.S.-Flag
Lakes fleet requires more than 2,500 merchant mariners to carry the iron ore, coal and fluxstone that blast furnaces turn into
steel. Add in all the other jobs at supply industries, and more than 400,000 residents of the region owe their livelihood to
steel."
"This action is the culmination of efforts by many legislators, both Republican and Democrat," said James J. Driscoll, 3rd Vice
President of GLMTF and Director of Marketing for Marinette Marine Corporation. "In the House, Congressman Oberstar of
Minnesota and Representative Kucinich of Ohio, to name just two, have been tireless advocates of American steel. Minnesota
Senator Wellstone and others in that chamber have likewise defended the industry from unfair trade."
Steel imports are the primary inbound cargo for oceangoing vessels working the Great Lakes, but the Section 201
investigation will not bar foreign steel from U.S. shores. "The United States does not have enough capacity to make all the
steel this country consumes," said John D. Baker, 2nd Vice President of GLMTF and President of the ILA's Great Lakes
District Council. "In particular, demand for certain specialty steels does not justify investment in production facilities, so salties
will still have inbound cargos when order has been restored to the steel trade. Free but fair trade in steel will keep all segments
of Great Lakes shipping healthy."
The Federal government currently is also investigating the national security impacts of imports of iron ore and semi-finished
steel. GLMTF has urged the government to ensure that imports of these commodities do not jeopardize domestic Great
Lakes shipping.
Founded in 1992, Great Lakes Maritime Task Force promotes domestic and international waterborne commerce on the
Great Lakes. The coalition is the largest assembly of labor and management ever to represent the interests of Great Lakes
shipping.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Glen Nekvasil, Secretary
(216) 861-0592