Has anyone heard Democratic candidate comments on...

[helleborient]

The Steel Tariff controversy?

The E.U. is now claiming it will assign its penalizing tariffs to hurt Bush most in swing states in the 2004 election since the WTO declared the U.S. tariffs illegal.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031110/ap_on_bi_ge/wto_us_steel_031110161712

Has anyone heard comments from Democratic candidates on this?

[JohnKleeb]

1. Its a little old but he said this in congress

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/press/pr-020508a-steeltariffs.htm
Can I just say, I only wish I found out about him sooner. I am glad he mentioned the steelworkers in this, as a nephew of one I appreciate it.

"We must say to our nation's retired steelworkers, you've worked all your life to make America strong. We have not forgotten and we will not let you down. I urge my colleagues to vote for this rule and oppose all efforts to roll back steel tariffs."
This is what I refer to. My uncle worked for Bethelhem Steel for many years, he died like 7 years ago, if he were still living he would lose his pension.

[helleborient]

2. Thank you....

That is definitely the tariffs I was asking about.

Do you have any ideas of how Dennis would respond to the retaliatory tariffs by the E.U.?

[no name no slogan]

3. Just a guess...

since he wants to quit the WTO, the EU would be forced to negotiate a new, bilateral trade agreement with the US, or revert back to the one it had with the US before we joined the WTO. Without the hindrance of the WTO (and its meddling in the governmental affairs of its members), we would be able to negotiate a trade agreement that would be much better for our workers and industries.

This is in no way official, but I think it's a fairly decent guess as to what may transpire when DK becomes president ;)

[OneBlueSky]

4. here's something I've been wondering about . . .

armies need a lot of steel . . . you know, for jeeps and tanks and humvees and guns and such . . . anyone know where the steel for the Iraq war comes from? . . . is it American steel? . . . or do we import it? . . . just wondering . . .

[helleborient]

5. Too bad there aren't any candidate positions on this...

Including mine.

As it is a very sticky situation that would scream out for creative leadership.

[snoochie]

6. Kucinich: Withdraw from WTO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2003
link

Democratic presidential candidate Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich said:

"The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled against tariffs on which the U.S. steel industry depends. The WTO would similarly rule against modifications to NAFTA being proposed by various candidates for president. If the United States is to be free to negotiate fair trade agreements that protect jobs, the rights of workers, and the environment, then there is no alternative but to repeal NAFTA and withdraw from the WTO.

"If our agriculture, textiles, and other industries are going to be able to help pull the world up rather than being dragged down to the level of serfdom or exported abroad, we must put an end to the disaster known as NAFTA and the WTO. I call on every other Democratic candidate for president to join me in this plan, and in particular Congressman Gephardt who helped to create the WTO and can now help to dismantle it.

"NAFTA has helped us achieve a trade deficit of over $400 billion. We've lost nearly 3 million manufacturing jobs since July 2000. Modifying NAFTA is illegal under the WTO. We can talk all we want about modifying NAFTA to protect human rights and workers' rights, but the end result will be a ruling from the WTO like the recent one on steel telling us that we are not free, that global corporate trade agreements have the final say. We need a new start. We must begin from scratch with decent trade agreements between this country and each other country we trade with, agreements that are based from the start on the needs of people and communities.

"Since NAFTA was enacted 10 years ago, the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and Canada has ballooned. Companies have used the threat of moving jobs to Mexico to place downward pressure on wages and benefits for American workers. A NAFTA case brought by a foreign owned steel fabrication company is trying to overturn 'Buy America' laws that require using American steel in highway projects. NAFTA allows foreign owned companies to challenge our Constitution, our Congress, and our rights to enact American laws.

"This month at a meeting in Florida, the architects of NAFTA and the WTO -- multinational corporations -- will push for the creation of the FTAA, an expansion of NAFTA to include nearly every country in the hemisphere. Now is the time for every Democratic candidate for President to take a stand against the FTAA, NAFTA, and the WTO. We know the Republicans' position. What will be the Democrats'?"

[a_lil_wall_fly]

7. Well.... I heard earlier today

That if the US keeps the tarriffs on the Steel. Japan will retaliate sometime soon. With South Korea and Russia keeping silent.