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I normally like to avoid pissing matches like this as well but this is just so fucking hypocritical to let go - so its time for some Australian perspective.
Yes we are pissed, our biggest steel plant sends 30% of its output to the US - that will probably cost jobs because not only do we have to find somewhere to send the excess, so does everyone else.
America is the first one to bitch and winge and run like a little kid to the WTO whenever someone else so much as mentions tarrifs or production subsidies but is quite happy to do it when there are some votes to be had.
If you think this has to do with anything other than congressional elections this year then you are just silly. That's right, this is not economics its politics. Thats why Bush's economists that are smarter than Mika are probably as pissed as Mika is - cause it just plain doesnt make sense.
Unless the US steel industry uses this 3 years to really fix its act then what has it acheived, nothing. Because in 3 years you will probably be even less competitive than you are today and you can lose even more jobs.
With any luck, all the countries affected by this will get their shit together and use the steel to cheaply produce the end products which as has been suggested will actually cost more jobs in the US than it saves. So once the tarrifs come off you cant sell steel and you cant sell the by products.
Finally, this isnt the time for America to be pissing on allies like Brittain and Australia because although we arent making a big manpower comitment to the War on Terror, the fact that we are there along side you helps with the political atmosphere.
Jayson
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