US appeals WTO report on steel, aluminum tariffs
The United States notified on Monday the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its appeal to the Panel report regarding import tariffs on steel and aluminum introduced by former US President Donald Trump.
According to the document WTO made public today, Washington is invoking its right to adopt regulations in pursuit of national security, arguing that the trade organization does not have the jurisdiction to decide on such acts. "Every Member of the WTO retains the authority to determine for itself those measures that it considers necessary to the protection of its essential security interests," the US stated, concluding that binging such issues before the WTO is "incompatible" with its purpose.
The case was opened upon the request for consultations submitted by China in 2018, with other countries, including Switzerland, submitting subsequent separate requests and joining as third parties in the proceedings.