The People’s Republic of China has lodged an appeal against a decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) which supports U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium, announced the Chinese commerce ministry.
Previously, a WTO panel had sided with the U.S., suggesting that China violated WTO standards by introducing extra tariffs on U.S. imports as a countermeasure to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium. These U.S. tariffs, instituted in 2018 by the Donald Trump administration, encompassed a 25% duty on steel and a 10% duty on aluminium imports from multiple countries, including China. Beijing, in retaliation, had declared added tariffs on certain U.S.-origin products.
The Chinese commerce ministry highlighted “legal errors” in the WTO panel’s judgement. According to them, the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports are a “unilateral and protectionist measure” and contravene WTO guidelines. China has now called on the U.S. to conform to WTO norms and promptly amend these “illegal measures”.
This appeal arises amidst continuing strains in China-U.S. relations, although there have been recent endeavors to enhance their rapport. Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, visited Beijing recently, marking another attempt by the Biden administration this year to augment dialogue, given concerns that discord between the nations might intensify.
