Russia today turned to the World Trade Organization (WTO), as China and the European Union have already done, over US tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Russia, a major exporter of steel and aluminium, resorted to the same tactic as the EU on Thursday (19.4.2018), citing the WTO Safeguards Agreement, even though Washington did not define the measures as safeguard measures.
President Donald Trump's administration said the tariffs on aluminum and steel were necessary for national security reasons and therefore allowed under international trade law.
"Although the United States said the measures in question were taken to address the threat posed to U.S. national security by steel and aluminum imports, they are essentially safeguard measures.", according to the document sent by the Russian mission to the WTO, based in Geneva.
WTO rules allow safeguard measures if the country imposing them can demonstrate that its domestic industry is threatened by imports.
"The Russian Federation is a WTO member with a substantial interest as an exporter of products subject to safeguard measures."he added. The Russian mission's document calls for "consultations" with US officials on this issue.
The request for consultations is the first step in broader action at the WTO.
Unlike Russia and the United States, CChina challenged the US tariffs through the Dispute Settlement Body, another mechanism through which the organization's 164 members address trade discussions.
Trump sparked fears of a trade war last March when he imposed progressive tariffs on steel and aluminum, targeting China in particular but also EU countries.
The EU, which was exempt from these additional tariffs until May 1, turned to the WTO on Monday to request consultations with the United States under the Safeguards Agreement.
Source: Reuters
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
