EC backs Poland's plans to protect itself from expected flood of steel

The European Commission (EC) yesterday acknowledged that Poland, like other candidate countries for European Union (EU) membership, has the right to protect itself from inflows of steel originally intended for sale in the US. "If Poland introduces restrictions on imports of steel from European Union and other countries, the European Commission will acknowledge it with understanding," said Anthony Gooch, spokesman for the EU Trade Commissioner. He added that EU member countries will introduce similar measures in the coming days. The restrictions are a response to a decision by the US authorities to impose protectionist duties of up to 30% on imports of steel. The EC is concerned that steel products originally intended for the US may now flood the European market. Polish officials fear that, unless measures are adopted to protect the domestic market, Poland may be overwhelmed by dumped Ukrainian steel. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 13; Rzeczpospolita, p. B1) A.K.