Chinese Steel Tariffs Effect On UK Companies Played Down By The Government

The Government has played down the effect of the latest Chinese steel tariffs on UK firms amid growing fear of a damaging trade war with Beijing.

Ministers have been under pressure to act after the Chinese ministry of commerce announced on Friday that it was imposing levies of up to 46% on some types of specialist steels imported from the European Union, South Korea, and Japan.

Canada must act now to save its steel-making industry

Thousands of steelworkers and their families rallied in downtown Hamilton on Jan. 30 to stand up against the actions of U.S. Steel and the potential shutdown of Canadian operations and the loss of workers' pensions and benefits.

Both the United Steelworkers, the union representing the 2,200 employees in the Hamilton and Nanticoke plants, and the Ontario government are in a Toronto court opposing a legal move by the American parent company to scuttle the possibility of a revived and restructured steel operation.

Broken promises and impotent government hurt Hamilton

OTTAWA

A grim anniversary passed unmarked last week in a once-proud steel town.

It was one year ago that Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel began its shutdown of the blast furnace at the former Stelco in Hamilton, a precursor to its lockout of 900 workers a month later.

One year later, the workers remain on the street and the 2007 U.S. Steel purchase of Stelco remains the neon sign advertising the inadequacies of a toothless and secretive Investment Canada Act.

U.S. Steel is now threatening a permanent shutdown at its Hamilton Works and the federal government, which allowed the takeover, is powerless to do anything about it.

The two sides return to the bargaining table Monday morning, but there appears to have been little movement from either the American company or Local 1005 of the United Steelworkers.

“Having talks is better than not having talks,” says 1005 president Rolf Gerstenberger.