The WTO rules against the United States over Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled this Friday that the tariffs imposed by the United States on imports of steel and aluminum by the former president Donald Trump contravene global trade rules, a decision immediately criticized by the current government in Washington.

In one of the most high-profile and potentially contentious cases to come to the WTO, the three-person committee said that the US measures are inconsistent with WTO rulesrecommending that the United States modify them in accordance with international regulations.

The United States said it strongly rejects the committee’s “misinterpretation” and conclusions.

Washington could appeal the decision, leaving it in a legal loophole as Washington has blocked WTO Appellate Body appointments, making it incapable of ruling.

Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum in 2018, relying on Section 232 of a 1962 law that allows the US president to restrict imports if they threaten the security of his country. His trading partners Canada and Mexico were later exempted.

The tariffs prompted several WTO members, including China, to challenge the measure.

On Friday, a three-person WTO panel issued its conclusions in the cases brought by China, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The cases brought by India and Russia are still pending.

Washington agreed last year to remove tariffs on imports from the European Union, prompting Brussels to suspend the bloc’s case.

For the rest, the government of the current president of the United States, Joe Bidenhas maintained tariffs on metals, which were a centerpiece of Trump’s “America First” strategy.