By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, DC – U-S Senator Richard Shelby says he's worried President Bush's decision to lift foreign steel tariffs will hurt Alabama steel producers. In a written statement, Shelby said the move disappoints him. He says the tariffs on imported steel helped companies restructure and consolidate their operations. He says he's concerned the decision could cost jobs in Alabama and throughout the domestic steel industry. Alabama has nine active steel mills employing about 20 thousand workers. President Bush decided to lift the steel tariffs because European countries and Japan had threatened economic retaliation. The World Trade Organization had already ruled the tariffs illegal.