This report analyses some of the available data to identify some of the reasons for the "crisis" of affordability and availability of the General Liability category of commercial insurance. Four possible reasons are identified: while there have apparently been dramatic increases in premium rates, premium income in the General Liability category is rising slowly relative to losses; insurers are writing less of these lines in comparison with other lines; the high and rising cost of litigation; and the relatively sharp swings in under- writing experience. These explanations do not necessarily cover the broad spectrum of and interaction between the legal, social, and other factors influencing the General Liability insurance market.,CRS 86-628 E,April 18, 1986,SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

The President's steel import restraint program has as its goal limiting imports of steel to 18.5 percent of the U.S. market for finished steel products and 20.2 percent for all steel products. One year after the announcement of the program, it appears that the goal for all steel products will only partially be achieved for the 1986-89 period. The import market share for all steel products could be reduced, but only to about 22.6 percent of the U.S. market. The ultimate success of the program hinges on the results of negotiations of voluntary export restraint agreements with countries or regions not presently subject to them.