Unions supported even higher steel tariffs
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said, "This safeguard remedy gives American steel industry some temporary relief from years of import surges and unfair trading practices that have hurt its ability to compete and to prosper." But he added that the industry and workers "need to use this breathing space to restructure and to regain competitiveness." Zoellick said the 40% tariffs sought by steel companies and the union "we felt would have done potential damage to the U.S. economy in terms of the added cost."
http://www.enr.com/news/enrbl_030602.asp
Historically, Republicans have been more inclined to levy tariffs but never doubt the willingness of a democrat to abandon principle to curry favor with a special interest group.