International Steel Talks

Moderator:
Terrence Straub
Senior Vice President, US Steel Corporation

Presentation:
Wolfgang Hübner
Head of OECD Structural Policy Division/Steel Unit

Discussant:
Joseph Spetrini
Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of Commerce

Friday, June 16, 2006
Capitol Hill Club, Private Dining Room 1
300 First Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
8:30 AM Registration, 9:00-10:00 AM Presentation

Event Description:

Discussions on a proposed agreement to curtail subsidies to the steel sector have made significant progress. However, they also revealed that there remain significant differences among the participants in key areas (environmental subsidies, trade remedies, special and differential treatment etc) rendering impossible the successful conclusion of an agreement in the immediate future.

Interest in maintaining the dialogue on subsidies and related government supports, however, remains high, with some countries foreseeing a potential return to formal negotiations, once issues being considered in the Doha trade round are resolved. In the meantime, member countries have expressed significant interest in further policy work being carried out in the key issue areas mentioned above.

The purpose of the meeting is to inform how, where and when such work will be undertaken and discuss whether and under what conditions the negotiations could be resumed.

Biographies:

Terrence Straub joined U.S. Steel in 1981 and is currently senior vice president for public policy and governmental affairs.  He is responsible for all governmental affairs and public policy matters on the federal and state level affecting U. S. Steel.  He is also responsible for international trade policy matters and trade negotiations involving U. S. Steel, and during his tenure has developed a wide knowledge of global trade issues and practices.

Wolfgang Hubner serves the 30 OECD member countries on the Committee on Industry, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  This Committee is responsible for promoting improvements in business environment through economic and industry analysis as well as co-operation among member and non-member economies in the field of economic policy with the objective of fostering competitiveness, productivity growth, structural reform, sustainable production and economic advancement. In addition, he is responsible for special activities related to counterfeiting, steel and shipbuilding.

Joseph A. Spetrini is Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy and Negotiations, Import Administration, International Trade Administration.  He is responsible for a variety of import programs and policies, including serving as a lead negotiator for the ongoing WTO Rules negotiations, negotiation and administration of all bilateral agreements related to AD/CVD cases, and broader policy issues including monitoring and engaging in a dialog with foreign governments’ regarding administration of trade laws, import licensing, and analyzing far-reaching policy issues regarding AD and CVD case work.