Clark blasts Bush steel decision

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark says President Bush has no strategy to help the 2.6 million manufacturing workers who have lost jobs.

"We need a real strategy to help our manufacturing communities," Clark said Thursday.

Clark's comment is in response to the Bush administration's decision to end tariffs on imported steel. The White House said tariffs were aimed at giving the domestic steel industry "breathing space," but not permanent protections. It said the industry was now more efficient and profitable.

Clark has proposed a plan to give $10,000 in tax credits to steel and auto industries for each additional full-time employee hired. Clark said that would end incentives to ship jobs overseas.