The European Union has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) with a request for compensation from the US because of the high import duties that the administration of the White House imposed on steel and aluminium. Earlier, a complaint was also made by China.
“As an exporter of significant interest in this case, the EU has requested “mediation with the US”, says the statement of EU published on Monday on the WTO website. According to the statement, discussions should take place as soon as possible.
“No matter the characterisation of these actions by the US as security measures, they are essentially protective measures,” the EU statement said.
The EU said earlier that it did not accept the US justification that its actions guard its national security. The European authorities believe that US tariffs are imposed to protect the local industry. The Union will ask for consultations with the United States as soon as possible.
From the punishing tariffs, at least at this stage (by 1 May), Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea and the EU are excluded. In March, EU leaders called for the temporary exemption from US import duties on steel and aluminium to become permanent. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has already stated that the EU does not want to be punished because of the actions caused to a large extent by the allegations of Chinese dumping.
A source from the European Commission has said that discussions between the EU and the US are currently ongoing “at several levels”, especially on global overcapacity in steel and aluminium sectors. In these discussions, the European Commission insists on a full and unconditional exemption from the declared tariffs for steel and aluminium. ”
US President Donald Trump imposed in March penal duties of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum despite warnings and threats. Only Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea and the EU are temporarily excluded. Recently, China has asked for arbitration in the WTO on this dispute.
