201 is deep-sixed.

The Bush Administration has ended the Section 201 steel tariffs 16 months earlier than planned, primarily to avert a looming trade war with the European Union and other nations.

In public statements, the administration said the tariffs had accomplished their goal. "These safeguard measures have now achieved their purpose, and as a result of changed economic circumstances, it is time to lift them," a presidental spokesman said.

The president also vowed that his administration would operate a tracking system to monitor steel imports "so that my administration can quickly respond to future import surges that could unfairly damage the industry."

Rulings and strong comments against the tariffs by the World Trade Organization preceded the December announcement. Additionally, the EU and other nations had begun threatening billions of dollars in retaliatory sanctions against the U.S. that included tarrifs on citrus fruit from Florida, textiles and farm machinery.

While most domestic steel-makers favored the measures, opponents had included not only other steel producing nations, but also U.S. steel consumers.

The Reuters news service speculates that ending the tariffs 16 months ahead of schedule could spark a political backlash against Bush in the 2004 election in key steel-producing states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.