Bush administration to drop steel tariffs [and he's right]

CBSMW ^

[BigDoom]

2:35am 12/01/03 Bush administration to drop steel tariffs: reports

By Steve Goldstein

LONDON (CBS.MW) -- The Bush Administration will drop steel tariffs to avoid a global trade war, which would see European Union retaliation on products like Florida orange juice, multiple reports said Monday. The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal both said Monday the decision will be announced this week to drop the tariffs, which range from 8 to 30 percent.

[DeuceTraveler]

Excellent...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The tariffs didn't do much but jack up the price paid by American consumers of steel. Both US and imported steel raised prices.
Some benbefit !

[Protagoras]

I often criticize the President, and I think fairly, on the issues. But it is time to make the point that when he knows he is wrong, like on this issue, he fixes his mistake. It's smart too, before the world slides into a trade war which could cause another depression.

Bravo on this one Bush!

[JNB]

I do not think it will be as cut and dry as this. Bush knows that backing down from the tariffs will make him look weak and many critical states, and free trade, like it or not, is not a issue that wins elections. My guess, a kind of compormise or tax credit(de facto subsidy) like European steel makers get is in the works.

[BigDoom]

Ok, that's possible. But just look at the ISM, the GDP, holiday sales: this economy is back on track. So I'dont think that this decision will make him look weak. Just spin it like "we don't need them anymore because manufacturing is already back in full gear". If they do a good job, they can even spin ist to a sign of strength, IMHO.

[BigDoom]

"it"

[gcruse]

You see, steelworkers unions are dishonest. When they are bought, they don't stay bought. Bringing hardship on steel related industries, customers, and importers did nothing to keep the rustbelt from voting Democrat. Rove and Bush should have known better.

[k2blader]

Bump!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

If they do a good job, they can even spin it to a sign of strength...

But you know that no matter how the Administration spins it, the media outlets will report it/spin it as a weakness.

[Cyber Liberty]

It's way beyond time. Somebody should have strangled that turkey in the cradle before he rolled it out a couple of years ago as a sop to the Buchanan Brigades.

[tm22721]

Probably not enough steel workers left in this country to be a political liability, anyway.

BUMP

[anniegetyourgun]

Payback's a b**ch for W. VA Senators named Rockefeller.