Trade Sanctions Against U.S. to Be Delayed
By ELIZABETH BECKER

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 - The World Trade Organization has agreed to a 10-day delay before Europe can impose $2.2 billion in sanctions against the United States in response to steel tariffs imposed by President Bush last year, an administration official said on Friday.

The decision was reached in Geneva on Thursday after the European Union and other nations that had complained about the tariffs joined with the Bush administration in seeking a delay, the official said. The earliest date that Europe can impose sanctions will now be Dec. 15.

This gives Mr. Bush breathing room to make a decision about lifting the tariffs that will be important both economically and politically.