‘Decline of U.S. Steel Industry’
Nick Buell’s letter (Aug. 13), “Decline of U.S. Steel Industry,” brought up some too-often heard comments on the decline of the U.S. steel industry. His thesis seems to be this: Foreign steel or foreign-controlled steel companies in the United States are driving U.S. steel producers out of business, therefore the U.S. government should intervene and stop, once and for all, this threat to our domestic steel industry.
It is my view that the Japanese, the Europeans, and the Koreans--and a number of others--are simply outperforming us in the arena of industrial competition. The auto, electronics, textile, and semiconductor industries, to name just a few, also need to call a time out and review their respective play books.
The U.S. steel industry has had some form of protection levied against imports for the past two decades--20 years!--and still our steel industry in general moans that it cannot compete. Buell mentions several U.S. steel companies that have gone bankrupt or that have turned off their furnaces, and then he asks the question “who is left” to shoulder the burden of running the steel industry, an industry essential to the survival of the United States?
Well, there are companies within our industrial sector who are willing to go head to head with the competition, and very often they come away with the prize. Nucor Steel is a good example of the competitiveness that still lives. That company has co-existed with the Koreans and Japanese in the import-concentrated Western U.S. steel market for a number of years. Do you think they have the respect of the Japanese? You bet they do!
No, protectionism isn’t the answer. It has only prolonged the inevitable: that we--both management and labor--must stand collectively, roll up our sleeves, and be unafraid to get our hands dirty finding new ways to compete.
The prevalent attitude in this country is that if we can’t compete, it must be because our neighbors aren’t playing fairly. This is not a healthy, nor a mature posture. In the majority of instances, the finger of blame should be pointed back to us.
Come on folks, let’s open our eyes and get wise to the international opportunities facing us in this era of increased challenge.
RONALD W. EAGAR
North Hollywood
