Bethlehem Steel Corporation
For Immediate Release

BETHLEHEM, Pa., November 2, 2000 - In response to media inquiries concerning actions today by the International Trade Commission on the flat-rolled Sunset Reviews, the following statement is attributable to Duane R. Dunham, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Bethlehem Steel Corporation:

The affirmative vote by the ITC confirms that material injury from unfairly traded foreign imports of corrosion resistant sheet and plate products has occurred and is continuing to occur, causing serious harm to Bethlehem Steel and the domestic steel industry. The sunset review has determined that the injury is expected to continue unless appropriate measures are taken to address unfair and injurious trade in steel. We are pleased that the ITC has recognized the continuing severe injury with its votes, but are extremely disappointed that it did not continue the duties on plate from Canada and on cold rolled sheet products.

All of the affected products - plate, coated steel and cold rolled steel - continue to enter our country at rates equal to the devastating impact on the industry caused by the high levels of imports during the Asian crisis in 1998, when the highest level of steel imports ever recorded entered our country. If imports continue at the levels recorded during the first nine months of this year, it appears that imports in 2000 will approach or exceed the 1998 levels.

This vote on corrosion resistant sheet and steel plate products continues the anitdumping and countervailing duties imposed on these products as the industry continues to work with the Administration and others to find permanent, lasting solutions to the injustices and inequities of this nation's world trade environment. We appreciate the efforts of the Administration, the Congress, especially the Steel Caucuses, and many of the nation's leading legislators who have testified to the injury to their communities caused by unfair trade in steel even after the industry has invested billions of dollars in the past decade to become a world-class competitor.