A1 A 30-month extension of steel quotas that protect the domestic industry from foreign competition was announced by the White House.

George Bush's promise to extend steel quotas undercuts American trade negotiators.

After the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the import quotas in March, the debate over steel quotas took on far greater dimensions.

The Senate's brief but heated debate today on the steel quotas showed the degree to which the economic prosperity of the 1990's has changed the nature of political discourse.

The Community's scrapping of all steel quotas in March 1992 set off a surge of eastern exports.

To the Editor: Using the California power crisis and steel quotas as examples, the column said free-market economics could leave many people behind.

Mr. Yeutter said the steel quotas would extend the import relief program through Sept. 30, 1989.

"From an international point of view, the steel quotas are an embarrassment to the United States," one senior European official said.

In a letter to Senator John Heinz four days before the election, he promised to continue the steel quotas beyond their scheduled expiration on Sept. 30.

"The steel quotas have had a positive impact on the cash flow, sales and profitability of American steel companies," Mr. Jacobson said.