The United States July 16 launched separate disputes at the World Trade Organization against China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and Turkey, challenging the tariffs each WTO member imposed in response to President Donald Trump’s actions on trade in aluminum and steel to protect U.S. national security interests.
The U.S. steel and aluminum duties imposed by President Trump earlier this year are justified under international agreements the United States and its trading partners have approved. However, retaliatory duties on U.S. exports imposed by China, the EU, Canada, Mexico and Turkey are completely without justification under international rules, according to a trade representative.
“The actions taken by the president are wholly legitimate and fully justified as a matter of U.S. law and international trade rules. Instead of working with us to address a common problem, some of our trading partners have elected to respond with retaliatory tariffs designed to punish American workers, farmers and companies,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
“These tariffs appear to breach each WTO member’s commitments under the WTO agreement. The United States will take all necessary actions to protect our interests, and we urge our trading partners to work constructively with us on the problems created by massive and persistent excess capacity in the steel and aluminum sectors.”
In January 2018, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross issued reports finding that imports of steel and aluminum products threaten to impair national security. On March 8, 2018, the president concurred with the Secretary of Commerce’s finding and imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum.
The tariffs became effective for some WTO members on March 23 and for others on June 1. In response, these WTO members have unfairly retaliated against products originating in the U.S.:
China’s retaliatory tariffs, effective April 2, impose 15 to 25 percent additional duties on $3.0 billion in U.S. imports (based on 2017 trade values).
The EU’s retaliatory tariffs are effective in two tiers. The first tier, effective June 22, imposes 10 to 25 percent additional duties on $3.2 billion in U.S. imports (based on 2017 trade values). Tier 2 is not effective until June 1, 2021. In tier 2, the EU will be imposing 10 to 50 percent additional duties on $4.2 billion in U.S. imports (based on 2017 trade values).
Turkey’s retaliatory tariffs, effective June 21, impose 4 to 70 percent additional duties on $1.8 billion in U.S. imports (based on 2017 trade values).
Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, effective July 1, impose 10 to 25 percent duties on $12.7 billion in U.S. imports (based on 2017 trade values).
Mexico’s retaliatory tariffs went into effect in two tranches, on June 5 and July 5. In total, Mexico is imposing 7 to 25 percent duties on $3.6 billion in U.S. imports (based on 2017 trade values).
