The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled against U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. On Friday, a three-member panel of the organization ruled that the tariffs were in violation of WTO rules and that the U.S. would have to adjust its import rules for the metals.
Immediately, United States rejected the WTO panel’s ruling, claiming its interpretations and conclusions were incorrect. It is true that the USA would be able to appeal against the decision.
But this would come to nothing, since the administration in Washington has so far been blocking the appointment of the WTO Appellate Body. For years, the U.S. has been pushing for reform of the World Trade Organization.
Then-President Donald Trump had imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum in 2018. In doing so, Trump invoked a 1962 law that allowed the president to restrict imports if they were a threat to national security. A number of countries challenged U.S. rules in the WTO.
Last year, the U.S. government under President Joe Biden had agreed to lift tariffs on EU imports. As a result, the EU decided to suspend its proceedings against the U.S. in the WTO. Against other countries such as China, however, the tariffs were upheld.
