The latest product exclusions include several different types of
cold-finished bar, cold-rolled flat steel, wire, welded pipe and tube, hot-rolled bar and several other steel products.
They include:* 30% on imports of plate, hot-rolled sheet, cold-rolled sheet, coated sheet; tin mill products, hot-rolled bar and
cold-finished bar;* 15% on imports of rebar (product used largely in construction), stainless steel bar, stainless steel rod and certain welded tubular products excluding oil-country tubular goods;* 13% on imports of carbon and alloy fittings and flanges;* 8% on stainless steel wire;* 30% on steel slab imports beyond 5.4 million short tons, a measure known as a tariff rate quota.US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick defended the decision, saying the measures were part of a package that includes restructuring of the domestic industry and international co-ordination to remove excess steel production capacity.