WTO investigates into US tariffs on steel and aluminium

According to "The Times", the World Trade Organisation is to investigate President Trump’s use of a 56-year-old law to restrict metals imports on national security grounds.

According to a current news report, the EU, China and other nations directed the WTO to investigate the legality of US tariffs on steel and aluminium, which the president justified by Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. A finding against the Americans could have ramifications.

Section 232 allows the president to impose import tariffs, or block imports, if he believes the imports “impair the national security”. The US has used it to impose tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign goods. The complainants argue that the US move is protectionist, and they want compensation.

Source: The Times, photo: fotoalia