Wiley Rein & Fielding Helps U.S. Industry Secure Key Presidential Decision on Imported Steel Tariffs

March 7, 2002

Washington, DC—President Bush imposed tariffs of up to 30 percent on imported steel Tuesday, in a major victory for the U.S. steel industry. Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP played a crucial role in the steel investigation, representing Nucor Corporation, the nation’s largest steel producer, and a coalition of U.S. steel minimills.

The President’s decision in the Section 201, or safeguards, investigation followed a unanimous finding by the U.S. International Trade Commission that the U.S. producers of flat and long steel products were seriously injured by surges of imports. The proclamation of tariffs for the industry also followed an intense political debate involving Congress, the Executive Branch, and global steel producers and importers.

"We are pleased to have helped obtain significant relief for the domestic steel industry," said Chuck Verrill, head of the firm’s International Trade Law and Policy Practice Group. "This industry has been seriously injured by imports, with more than 30 companies forced to file bankruptcy, laying off thousands of workers. We hope that the President’s decision will address this serious injury and provide the industry the assistance it needs to recover."

Wiley Rein & Fielding served as counsel to Nucor Corporation as well as the Minimill 201 Coalition (Long Products), a group of 20 domestic steel producers that includes AmeriSteel, Birmingham Steel, CMC Steel Group, North Star Steel, and others.

Wiley Rein & Fielding’s International Trade Law and Policy Practice Group represents clients in dealing with domestic and international trade regulation, market access issues and dispute resolution. This practice includes representation in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, Section 201 and 301 actions, export enforcement proceedings, multilateral, bilateral and free trade agreement negotiations, international arbitration, legislative action, international e-commerce issues and Customs matters.