Firms Urge President to Reject Tariffs on Imports

A U.S. trade agency’s recommendation that President Bush levy tariffs of as much as 40% on steel imports would cost steel buyers more than $2 billion a year and lead to three job losses for every one saved, a group representing steel-consuming companies said.

The Consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition, representing Caterpillar Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., Deere & Co. and other steel buyers, is joining the fight against tariffs proposed last week by the U.S. International Trade Commission.

The debate over protectionism so far has been dominated by steel producers such as USX-U.S. Steel Group.