Brasília, 1 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Today minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Lafer, commented on the decision by the US Department of Commerce to impose compensatory rights of 8.22% and 12.58% on laminated steel imported from Brazil. Lafer said the reason given by the Americans to justify the decision has already been turned down by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The US claims that Brazilian steel mills received subsidies in the past before they were privatized and that these subsidies still benefit the companies.

Lafer said that the Brazilian government laments the American decision based on "protectionism," and said that no one except the Americans understand their reasoning. He added that the reluctance by the US to comply with WTO rulings has resulted in the European Union requesting a new panel to examine the matter, in which Brazil participates as an interested third party. (AB)