NEWPORT MP Alan Howarth yesterday persuaded an all-party group of MPs from steel constituencies to summon the US ambassador to Parliament.

The move was made so that the ambassador to Britain, Mr William S Farish, can explain why his government is putting the jobs of Welsh steel workers at risk. And Tony Blair is under pressure to press the European Union to retaliate against America.

The MPs also want urgent talks with industry secretary Patricia Hewitt to seek the introduction of quotas for imports which they want set at pre-1998 levels.

This they say would prevent Europe being flooded with cheap steel from Turkey, Eastern Europe, Russia and South Korea.

Their move follows the decision by President Bush to impose tariffs of up to 30 per cent on most imported steel in the US.

The decision has angered MPs coming as it has after British soldiers fought with the Americans in Afghanistan.

Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West, is also among more than 90 MPs who have warned Tony Blair against further military action in Iraq.

Newport East Mr Howarth said: "The Americans are looking to their friends. We want to be their friends but the special relationship is facing a testing time."

Hywel Francis MP for Aberavon, and secretary of the steel group, said: "We shall be leading a delegation of MPs from steel areas and steel workers to meet the secretary of state to impress upon her the strength of feeling in steel communities about this blatant act of US protectionism.

"We want her to ensure that the safeguards she has announced are applied immediately to protect this strategically imported UK industry."

Mr Farish will be told by the MPs to request President Bush to reconsider his decision. The MPs will also ram home their demand for Europe to retaliate at a meeting with Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner for Trade.

Wales' Euro MPs, including Glenys Kinnock, are also being urged to bring pressure on the EU to act against the United States.

Mr Howarth said the steel industry needed to recover following the closure of Ebbw Vale and the end of steel making at Llanwern - and the loss of 2,150 Gwent jobs. Even before the American move Corus had indicated it was still undergoing difficulties by announcing a pay freeze for its workers.