For Immediate Release

Bethlehem, Pa., August 12, 2002-- "The action taken today by the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce in granting exclusions for an additional 500,000 metric tons of semi-finished steel to enter this country duty free is without a doubt undermining a significant portion of President Bush's remedy to solve the domestic steel industry's problems." said Robert S. "Steve" Miller, Chairman and CEO, Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The semi-finished products exempted are made in this country in adequate quantities. Also, in the President's initial 201 remedy announcement, he established a tariff rate quota whereby 4.9 million metric tons of semi-finished steel could enter this country duty free. This quantity was generous by historical measures. Next year, the amount will be increased by an additional 450,000 metric tons. "Clearly, there appears to be no sound justification for the additional semi-finished exclusions announced today. We strongly urge the USTR and the DOC to avoid granting any further exclusions for products that are made domestically. Otherwise, the recovery of the industry that is anticipated by the President's 201 action will not be realized," Mr. Miller said.

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