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Automotive companies applaud ITC decision

The six largest automobile companies with manufacturing facilities in the U.S. applauded today's decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to revoke anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on "corrosion resistant steel" from Australia, Canada, France and Japan. The ITC left orders in place on imports from Germany and Korea.

"We are pleased that the ITC revoked most of the duties," said Stephen E. Biegun, Vice President, International Governmental Affairs, Ford Motor Company. "All of these duties are outdated and hurt American manufacturing competitiveness and U.S. jobs while needlessly helping a steel industry that is now profitable and healthy."

"Today's decision is a major step forward in restoring needed competition to the U.S. steel market," said Josephine Cooper, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. "The ITC's decision supports both a strong steel industry and a strong auto industry, and we look forward to working with our colleagues in the steel industry to continue to strengthen manufacturing in the United States."

The duties on corrosion-resistant steel have been in place since 1993 on imports from six countries. As a result of today's vote, duties on imports from Australia, Canada, France and Japan are revoked, while duties on imports from Germany and Korea will be retained until the next review in 2011.

The six auto manufacturers—DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota—joined together for the first time as a group in a trade case to urge revocation of duties on corrosion-resistant steel because of their serious concern regarding access to, and availability of, competitively-priced steel. During the hearing, the companies demonstrated that the U.S. steel industry is now profitable, has healthy long-term prospects and no longer needs government protection.