Story: Steel Tariffs Spark International Trade Battle, 11/17/03
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec03/steel_11-17.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

  1. What are tariffs? Explain how tariffs relate to the U.S. steel industry.



  2. What is the World Trade Organization?



  3. Explain the World Trade Organization ruling regarding U.S. steel tariffs.



  4. Why is the tariff issue important to President Bush?



  5. In addition to European concerns, some U.S. industries are criticizing the steel tariffs, why? How can they influence the president?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. If you were the president, what would you do in response to the WTO decision that steel tariffs were illegal? How would you justify your decision to those interest groups who disagreed with you?

2. Research the concept of free trade. Do free trade agreements help or harm the U.S. economy or even help and harm? Explain your reasoning.

 

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.