U.S. firms bending trade laws, critics say

Newhouse News Service ^ | 11/25/01 | Elizabeth A. Marchak

[chemicalman]

WASHINGTON -- America's heartland laments: Foreign companies are destroying our future, driving our steel companies out of business, throwing us out of our jobs.

The government often joins the chorus.

But the federal government's records indicate steel complaints about unfair trade are often overstated.

[Cobra64]

I know. I was in the steel business for 35 years. God help this country if we ever get into a major war. Well, I guess the gov't figures we won't need steel.

[arielb]

I thought America stood for freedom-not welfare handouts to companies that can't compete

[box221]

Many industries have recieved hand-outs in the past i.e. auto, oil, airframe, airlines, etc. for many reasons to keep them from going under.