WORKERS at the Corus steel works on Teesside are unlikely to feel the impact of the US action immediately. Only a tiny amount - less than 250,000 tonnes a year - of British-produced steel is exported to America.
However, MPs and union officials fear an international trade war could drive down the cost of steel in the longer term. Any fall in steel prices could have dire consequences for the Corus UK workforce.
Redcar MP Vera Baird accused President George Bush of keeping a promise to US steel makers who backed him financially during his presidential campaign.
"The US is not caring tuppence about anyone's interests but their own. We should protect ourselves against the impact."
Craig Evans, of Corus on Tees-side, said: "US steel producers problems are caused by a failure to restructure and consolidate, not by imports, which actually declined by 20 per cent in 2001.
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