51.   Gerard also thanked Bush for launching an investigation of foreign steel imports, something the industry did not get from the administration of former President Bill Clinton.

52.   GM has recently looked to foreign steel producers as U.S. steel makers are moving to raise prices amid the rising demand sparked by an economic recovery.

53.   He has imposed tariffs on foreign steel and signed a farm bill that gives billions of dollars in subsidies to American farmers.

54.   However, a spokesman for companies that buy imported steel said the new data indicate that imports are increasing because domestic steel companies are buying more foreign steel.

55.   Imports have declined for most of this year but domestic steelmakers are still asking for tariffs on foreign steel.

56.   Local producers attributed the decline partly to increased competition from foreign steel producers, trade department officials said.

57.   Nevertheless, foreign steel exporters immediately protested.

58.   Officials blamed low-priced foreign steel for the closing.

59.   Officials blamed low-priced foreign steel for the move.

60.   Reductions in steel imports lessen the need for tariffs on foreign steel, a lawyer for foreign steel companies said Thursday.