Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. open letter to active and retired Bethlehem Steel workers, 1999

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. COMMERCE COMMITTEE Congress of tfie ®niteb States 8)ouse of ficptcstntattoris (KHaSbtngton, 2ЭС 20515-2002 ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP OPEN LETTER TO ACTIVE and RETIRED BETHLEHEM STEEL WORKERS зиТЛоГ'" (410) 255-6983 As you know, the future of your industry (and your livelihood) has been targeted for extinction by foreign competitors who are violating U.S. trade laws. The flood of illegally imported steel from foreign countries, such as North Korea, Russia, Japan, and Brazil, has resulted in the loss of 10,000 American steel worker jobs. That number increases by the day. As the world’s most open market, the U.S. is always vulnerable to foreign-subsidized products imported (or dumped) well below market prices. When incidents of dumping occur, the President has remedies available, under U.S. trade law, to limit and stop this illegal activity. President Clinton’s concerns for Wall Street and foreign economies, however, have outweighed the concerns of American steel workers and the steel industry. As a result, orders for domestically-produced steel has dramatically decreased causing layoffs and bankruptcies throughout the American steel industry. It seems Bill Clinton wants to talk softly and carry a "Not Made in USA" stick. The battle for preserving the steel industry is between two conflicting philosophies. On one side, people, such as myself, see value and need in maintaining a domestic manufacturing base. On the other side are those in the White House who see only a service and information economy for America’s future. Unfortunately, during this steel crisis, President Clinton and Vice-President Gore have been listening to those who believe steel (and other similar products) are better manufactured overseas. A viable U.S. steel industry is essential to our economy and our national security. If we allow ourselves to become dependent upon foreign steel, the ability of companies constructing military hardware, such as tanks and planes, could be placed in jeopardy during a military conflict or war. As many of you remember, during the 1980's, the U.S. steel industry underwent many changes to modernize and become competitive in the global market. As a result, the steel products you make are better, more efficient, and more environmentally safe than ever before. Our steel mills must not be shut down as a result of illegal imports. Frustrated with the White House’s response, members of the steel industry have turned to their representatives in Congress for help. Last week, we passed legislation — the Bipartisan Steel Recovery Act — that will require a steel monitoring program to provide timely and factual data on steel imports, and, more importantly, require those countries who are dumping steel to reduce their exports to 1997 levels. This legislative solution should reduce the layoffs in our steel mills and provide adequate warning when foreign steel is dumped again. 3N RECYCLED PAPER