Blair urges US to respond to WTO ruling on tariffs

[Spazito]

BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) called on the United States to respond to a World Trade Organisation ruling that US steel tariffs are illegal.


Blair told an audience of business leaders in the city of Birmingham, central England, that he would be arguing Britain's case on trade with US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) on his state visit to the country this week.


"Obviously in relation to the United States and the issues to do with steel tariffs we will make the points as we have very forcefully to them," Blair told the annual conference of the Confederation of British Industry.

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The row is threatening efforts to liberalise global trade that have already stalled since a meeting in Cancun, Mexico collapsed three months ago amid deep divisions between rich and poor nations.

more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1519&e=7&u=/afp/britain_us_economy_trade

(If Bush removes the tariffs he loses some key states in the election, if he doesn't he loses some key states for the election, rock meet hard place)

[yellowcanine]

1. Tony, why would George listen to you?

It is hard to understand what somebody is saying when their lips are firmly locked on your butt.