14 June 1999 - steel backbone

It has long been understood that steel is the backbone of the modern nation. Thus, in a hard-nosed calculation, the U.S. International Trade Commission levied protective tariffs against Japanese hot-rolled carbon steel. America’s many steel consumers may be the country’s life and breath, but the few staunch steel producers are more vital yet, for the backbone must be strong if the dinosaur is to fossilize.