TRADE Secretary Patricia Hewitt visited a Gwent factory yesterday and spoke about the future of our steel industry, miners' compensation and why we need more women MPs.

Patricia Hewitt says that the American decision to lift steel tariffs will help boost industries in Gwent.

The UK secretary of state for trade and industry spoke to the Argus on a visit to a Gwent factory.

On Thursday the US administration ended illegal tariffs on imported steel designed to protect their industry.

The protectionist measure damaged steel producers in other countries including Corus. Although not directly related to the tariffs, Corus closed their Ebbw Vale works and have made cutbacks at Llanwern in recent years.

The US lifted the tariffs after the European Union threatened retaliatory sanctions targeted at states President Bush must win if he is to win a second term.

Ms Hewitt, who was touring Chepstow's Fairfield-Mabey steel component manufacturers, said: "President Bush's announcement is very good news for British industry and anyone who works in the manufacturing and steel sectors. It is the result of two years of very hard work and it means we have avoided a very damaging trade war with the US.

"It is a good example of how, by working with our European partners, Britain can promote its interests including those of workers in Gwent.

"The irony of the tariffs is that they actually damaged American manufacturers including Fairfield-Mabey's US sister company because they were forced to buy more expensive steel."

Newport-based Simon Jenkins of Corus said: "As a group we were adversely affected by these steel tariffs. We very much welcome the lifting of them which will help us and our manufacturing customers in Gwent."

Monmouth MP Huw Edwards, who hosted the minister's visit, also welcomed the news.

Mr Edwards said: "Fair-field-Mabey is a real local success story having recently expanded to employ 220 people. They are involved in prestige projects from the Channel Tunnel rail link to infrastructure in the Philippines. The end of these tariffs should help secure the company's future."

Fairfield-Mabey dates back to 1849, when the site was developed by Isambard Kingdom-Brunel to build the rail crossing over the River Wye. The company is now the market leader in the manufacture of steel bridge components.