Industry representatives serving on the Ferrous Ores and Metals ISAC provide advice on trade policy matters. Over the last year, members of the Ferrous Ores and Metals ISAC provided advice on a range of issues, particularly regarding implementation of President Bush’s steel initiatives, including the 201 remedy and negotiations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to reduce inefficient excess capacity worldwide and to establish stronger disciplines on trade-distorting measures.  The Ferrous Ores and Metals ISAC provided  recommendations on international negotiations related to the World Trade Organization (WTO), with particular focus on trade law; steel cases pending before WTO dispute settlement panels, the Russia market economy determination, and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).  Consistent with its concerns regarding possible surges of low-priced and illegally traded imports of steel mill products, the Ferrous Ores and Metals ISAC also provided advice on strengthening and vigorously enforcing U.S. trade laws.

Industry representatives serving on the ISAC on Ferrous Ores and Metals have a voice in U.S. trade policy formulation through the Industry Consultations Program (ICP), which emerged from the 1974 Trade Act, to ensure that trade negotiators were coordinating with the private sector during trade negotiations. Based on the program's success, the ICP was renewed and expanded by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and the Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. The Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and other agencies work side-by-side with business leaders who serve as advisors to the U.S. Government. The Department of Commerce and USTR have joint responsibility for operating the advisory committees of the ICP.

Eligibility for Membership on the Ferrous Ores and Metals ISAC
Committee members are U.S. citizens representing U.S. manufacturing or service firms in the ferrous ores and metals industry, trade internationally, and have a special interest in and knowledge of international trade issues. Representatives of industry associations may also participate. Additional information can be found on the Industry Consultations Program's website at www.ita.doc.gov/icp or by contacting: