These companies currently are planning to sign in early April an unprecedented umbrella agreement between themselves and the Soviet government.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: US-Soviet Joint Ventures: The Camel's Nose Under The Tent

We expect a gradual reduction in the quantity of steel sold to ArcelorMittal, given that the renewal of umbrella agreement between ArcelorMittal and Cliffs seems unlikely, and also as ArcelorMittal focuses on expanding its iron-ore production capacity globally.

FORBES: Cliffs Pushes Plenty O' Pellets, Lives And Dies With ArcelorMittal

Interestingly, while staff from the Commerce Department have been involved extensively in the construction of the American Trade Consortium umbrella agreement, the U.S. national security community has been totally excluded from its review -- despite the obvious potential implications for U.S. foreign and defense interests that might arise from such an undertaking.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: US-Soviet Joint Ventures: The Camel's Nose Under The Tent