US Treasury Secretary 'disagrees with steel tariffs'
Reports say the US Treasury Secretary disagrees with the Bush administration's decision to put tariffs on imported steel.
The New York Times says Paul O'Neill made his comments to a foreign policy group in New York.
He reportedly said the move will cost more jobs than it saves.
The paper says he made the off-the-record comments after a dinner speech at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Mr O'Neill also reportedly said imposing tariffs jeopardises the United States' position as the world's leader in promoting free trade.
The US Government has said it will impose tariffs of up to 30% on some imported steel.
After the EU voiced its opposition to the tariffs, the EU Commission and the US agreed to hold talks in Geneva on March 19.
They will discuss the establishment of a World Trade Organisation panel to mediate in the dispute.
