[Colorado Doug]

It sure sounds like you're making that up-- please prove us wrong. I did a bunch of searches and found out a lot about Brazil and steel in 1998, but nothing about an $8 billion gift to Brazil for their steel companies.

I don't make things up. It was part of a $41.5 billion IMF handout in November of 1998. Add to that a second handout of $30 billion more in August of 2002 and you are talking some real money (no pun intended). Brazil dumped steel and other products on the American market doing substantial damage to American industry. You can't call this free trade. It's heavily subsidized with our dollars and harmful to our own business. Do a search with Brazil, dumping and steel. This will give you an idea of just one industry. Broaden your search if you like.

"During November 1998, the IMF gave Brazil a $41.5 billion USD support loan after the emerging markets crash in Russia 98 and Asia 1997-98. And more recently in August 2002, the IMF again stepped up to the plate giving Brazil another line of credit for $30 billion USD support to help prevent a crash of the economy and to carry Brazil until the end of 2003 with enough cash in hand.

http://www.bankintroductions.com/brazil.html

[Toddsterpatriot]

I don't make things up. It was part of a $41.5 billion IMF handout in November of 1998.

Thanks for the link. Still don't see anything about $8 billion going to their steel industry. Try again?