Governor's Column - A Terrible Mistake: Giving Up on Steel Hurts West Virginia Families

A Terrible Mistake: Giving Up on Steel Hurts West Virginia Families

By Governor Bob Wise

December 5, 2003

The American steel industry continues to struggle for survival. Foreign governments have for years subsidized their steel industries, allowing their native companies to dump steel on the American market at artificially low prices. These companies also gain an unfair advantage when they are not subject to the same health, safety and labor standards that American manufacturers work under.

For many years, I have been proud to stand strong with the companies, employees and friends of the domestic steel industry. The alliances we have made in this fight transcend party lines and state borders. For those who realize the importance of the steel industry to our local communities, American economy and national security, the fight for steel was not easy, but we have made great progress.

One key component of this effort has been tariffs on certain types of imported steel. To level the playing field for American companies, many of which are working to reform themselves as more efficient producers, these duties were placed on subsidized, cheap steel that was flooding the market.

Unfortunately, the President has chosen to abandon the steel industry and prematurely terminate the tariffs. I am disappointed that the President, instead of standing with the workers and companies of the steel industry, has given in to the intimidation of European and Asian countries who use subsidies and illegal dumping to force American companies out of business.

The weaker measures the President has suggested will do nothing to help steelworkers or their families. Procedures for challenging unfair dumping take years; they have been tried before and found wholly ineffective. Steel manufacturers do not need more bureaucracy; they need the full support of the federal government against further foreign assaults.

The fight for steel in West Virginia is by no means over. I continue to work with Weirton Steel, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and other Northern Panhandle companies to assist them in reorganizing and reemerging as competitive players in the international market. This is a setback, and such a blow from Washington hurts more than the tactics of the foreign dumpers; however, the families of the Ohio Valley know that they have many allies in Congress, in their state capitals and in their communities. Together, we will overcome this unfortunate decision and rebuild this vital pillar of our economy.

I respectfully urge the President to reconsider this harmful action; to give up on steel is to give up on American business, the working people of this country and the economic strength that has made our nation great.