22/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - Experts from the American International Trade Commission (ITC), whose reports were sponsored by President Bush and Congress with a view to a "mid-term" review of safeguard measures limiting access to the American steel market since March 2001, failed to reach a clear conclusion in their impact assessment of additional import taxes on American industry, producers and consumers alike, indicates Wall Street Journal. This "non-suit" leaves President Bush with a difficult decision to make. He must decide if there are grounds for keeping this additional protection for American producers in place despite the unfavourable verdict of the World Trade Organisation, which the Court of Appeal may decided to confirm in the very near future, risking the wrath of Europe, which has already earmarked some 2 billion dollars in trade sanctions. On the other hand, the President could get rid of the measures, and risk the wrath of States hosting big players in American steel, and which could prove vital for the Republican team in the 2004 elections.