As I've said before, the steel tariffs were a horrible idea that Bush finally realized:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) scrapped steel import tariffs to avert a global trade war.


"These safeguard measures have now achieved their purpose and, as a result of changed economic circumstances, it is time to lift them," Bush said in a statement.


The decision, read to reporters by White House spokesman Scott McClellan, provoked a political backlash from steel unions and Democratic rivals in the race for the presidential election in November 2004.


But the US leader had little choice after the World Trade Organization (news - web sites) ruled the tariffs were illegal last month and major trading partners vowed massive retaliation.

A trade war with the EU is not what we need at this point. Tariffs are anti-conservative and serve no good purpose.