I heard on the news this AM that the WTO issued a final ruling that declared the steel import tariff illegal and clears the way for other countries to add almost any retaliatory tariff they want on any US products. This is going to put the Dubya's tush in a crack again. If he repeals it he gets the steel states upset and if he keeps it everyone else gets pissed.
Personally I say good riddance. The tax averaged about 8%-10% but stainless prices have gone up almost 30% and CRS is up over 40%. I have used only a few hundred dollars worth since the tariffs went on but I can see how it has effected small manufacturers a lot worse.
The tariffs were a big mistake in the first place. They were supposed to reduce imports give the US steel industry time and money to update facilities but for the most part very little of the extra profit has been used for any improvements. At the same time imports have not gone down much. The increase in price has actually attracted more foreign producers.
It was supposed to save jobs but it has cost more manufacturing and construction jobs than the entire steel industry employees. Now with the WTO ruling allowing punitive tariffs on US products farmers and high tech workers get a chance to pay for the steel industries short sightedness.