STEEL

U.S. Moves to Protect Steel From Imports: The Bush Administration in its waning hours moved to protect the U.S. steel industry from low-cost imports, a senior Commerce Department official said. The order said duties of 26% to 148% would be needed to offset the artificially low prices of Brazilian, French, German and British steel, the official confirmed, speaking on condition of anonymity. The U.S. International Trade Commission now has until Feb. 25 to make a final decision on whether to impose the duties. Until then, the Customs Service will require a bond or cash deposit on products covered by the order.